41 GRIST

November/December 1978

Volume 22/Number 6

Managing Vandalism The Boston Approach

Growing vandalism—or damage—to park equipment and facilities is one of the most common problems shared by park and recreation managers across the country. This damage is costly, not only in dollars spent on maintenance, repair, and replacement, but also in terms of lowered staff morale and, perhaps most important of all, in facilities which grow less attractive to their responsible users. Now, from the City of Boston and the Parkman Center for Urban Affairs, comes a much-needed guide that offers managers new hope, new confidence, and a sound common-sense approach to coping with vandalism. This guide, Managing Vandalism, results from a research project carried out in the parks and playgrounds of Boston. The project, funded by the National Science Foundation, studied a number of specific sites over the course of a year. Principal Investigator for the project was Jonathan C. Dopkeen. The Project Team included Alvin Scott, director: Peter Chin; Scott King; Illustrations by Kata Hull Gerald Porter; Nelson Brooks; and Terri Morris. During the investigation, take to curb damage to their facilities. tools available to deal with it; and c) researchers talked to dozens of people, Note the use of the word damage. devising a conscious strategy for including Parks Department staff, Replacing the emotion-laden term putting those tools to work. police officials, community leaders, "vandalism" with the more neutral The guide is divided into two families who live near recreation "damage" is the first recommended step sections. Section I discusses elements of facilities, and users, especially young in the development of a conscious an overall management approach to people. strategy for dealing with the problem. damage and examines key tools In the guide Managing Vandalism, Damage does not connote the feelings of available to managers: planning and authors Alvin Scott, Robert Fichter, powerlessness and hopelessness so design; maintenance and repair; staffing and Scott King have tried to translate often associated with vandalism. and supervision; scheduling and the insights gained from this research Damage falls within the normal sphere programming; and community relations. into a form useful to park and of responsibility of park departments You'll find suggested design review recreation professionals across the and can be handled by improved procedures, involving nearby residents nation. Recognizing that public officials management. The improved manage­ and park users, aimed at reducing need practical help rather than academic ment approach suggested emphasizes anticipated damage through appropriate research, this 58-page illustrated guide three steps: a) understanding the design. You'll discover specific tips on outlines effective steps managers can problem; b) reviewing management (Continued on p. 48) 42 Recycling

GRIST How to Launch a Paper Recycling Program

A Publication of the Park Practice Program Paper recycling—can it really he done? In a all employees, for the recovery of large recent issue of the National Wildlife Federation's amounts of high-quality office waste. The Park Practice Program is a cooperative effort of the Na­ tional Park Service and the National Recreation and Park As­ Conservation News, Carol Waite assures The program, called Waste Not, is based sociation. us the ansiver is a definite "yes." Let park and on showing people "how to do more by William J. Whalen, Director recreation practitioners take inspiration—and using less." National Park Service action—from Ms. Waite's article which follows: Each employee is prepared by a 20- John H. Davis, Executive Director Scout groups, churches, and some minute educational program, including National Recreation and Park Association cities have been recycling newspapers slides of the actual factory recycling The Park Practice Program includes: Trends, a quarterly publica­ for many years. Now, business offices, process and figures on the benefits of tion on topics of general interest in park and recreation man­ agement and programming; Grist, a bimonthly publication on huge paper consumers, are finding they the program. Then, each employee practical solutions to everyday problems in park and recreation operations including energy conservation, cost reduction, can recycle office waste paper. In fact, receives a desk tray—similar to a napkin safety, maintenance, and designs for small structures; DesHVi, a an estimated 600 private businesses holder—for paper items. Each piece of quarterly compendium of plans for park and recreation struc­ tures which demonstrate quality design and intelligent use of have office recycling programs .... high-quality paper simply goes there materials. After all, 70 to 80 percent of all office instead of in the wastebasket. Membership in the Park Practice Program includes a subscrip­ paper is recyclable. The benefits— Large boxes or containers are placed tion to all three publications and a library of back issues ar­ financial incentives, reduction in solid ranged in binders with indices and ail publications for the in strategic locations around the office remainder of the calendar year. The initial membership fee is waste (garbage) pick-ups, the knowledge for people to empty their desk trays. $80; annual renewal is $20. A separate subscription to Gr/sf is $13 initially and $7.50 on renewal. Subscription applications that trees and open space are being When these boxes are full, they are and fees, and membership inquiries should be sent only to: saved—are numerous. National Recreation and Park Association, 1601 North Kent stored until approximately 40 boxes, Street, Arlington, VA 22209. How can an office (or park) launch a about a ton, are collected. A phone call recycling effort? Many have decided to to the company representative brings The information presented in any of the publications of the Park Practice Program does not reflect an endorsement by the agen­ enlist the help of a "full service" the truck for a pick-up of the paper to cies sponsoring the program or the editors. company, one which provides all desk­ be delivered for processing. And the Articles, suggestions, ideas, and comments are invited and top containers, education for employees, payment follows! should be sent to: Park Practice Program, Division of Federal and State Liaison, National Park Service, Washington, DC central collection bins, and pick-up and With only the first four tons of waste 202-10. payment for each ton of waste paper. paper collected, NWF employees were Some major companies in the country amazed to learn that they had saved 68 provide this type of service and many trees! The four tons of waste paper others are being established. were turned into 160 cases of copier The National Wildlife Federation's paper. Editorial Staff headquarters in Washington, DC, has This amount of recycled paper results Division of Federal and State Liaison National Park Service opted for a full service paper recycling in an energy saving of 168,000 kilowatt program. An extensive educational hours, enough to air condition and heat Frank C. Goodell, Managing Editor program has been developed, involving two average Washington, DC homes James A. Burnett, Editor Design and Grist

Maureen Palmedo, Consulting Editor, Trends, Grist and Design

FOR SAFETY'S SAKE

All ideas and suggestions shared in the pages of GRIST are presented as guidelines, not final working blueprints. Be sure to check any device or plan you want to adapt for compliance with national, state, and local safety codes. 43 Energy Conservation

for a year. Recycling one ton of waste paper uses 22,000 kilowatts; producing Water Saving = Energy Saving the same amount of paper from trees takes 67,000 kilowatts Conserving energy has taken on paramount importance all over the How can a recycling program be set country in recent years. And there's one up if no full service company is located area in which everyone can make a in your area? The first step is to find a significant contribution to this effort . . . buyer. Look under "waste paper" in the in showers! Yellow Pages. If that leads to a blank, Shower bathing consumes enormous try "paper." Another possibility would amounts of water. The average shower be under "recycling centers," although head discharges about 6 gallons (23 1) of this may lead only to aluminum and water per minute, and an average shower scrap metal dealers. If all this fails, turn lasts for about 7-10 minutes. This means to the library for the World 42 to 60 gallons (160 to 228 1) of water Environmental Directory or the Paper has literally gone down the drain! Stock Dealers Directory (published annually by the Fibre Market News). William C. Bolton, park technician, Tuzigoot National Monument (AZ), has volume control valve reduces the water Most likely, preliminary research will a simple, inexpensive solution to this flow to just a dribble. (The dribble is turn up at least one, if not several, waste of water and the energy spent to necessary to maintain the correct sources. Check them out for various heat it. A small valve can be installed just temperature balance.) Bathers can use plans and select the one most suited to ahead of the shower head which can cut this "dribble" to lather up and when your situation. Or, if they simply buy the water flow from 7-10 minutes to less ready to rinse off, simply flip the valve waste paper with no specific recycling than 2 minutes. This would reduce water again for a full flow of water. Soaping up plan, devise your own! consumption by at least 28 gallons (106 1). and rinsing down takes about 2 minutes, This is exactly what a Washington, After the water temperature is saving 12 gallons (46 1) of water per DC university did. Appalled at the ever- adjusted to the proper heat, a flip of the shower. increasing waste pick-ups, students and building personnel worked together to determine how much paper was recyclable and where and how it could Energy Mi$er Saves You Fuel and Money be collected. Drop-off points were designated, used collection bins were From Supervisory Park Ranger such as Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. obtained from salvage yards, and the Gerald W. Epperson of Arches National The Energy Mi$er is most effective in university donated an old truck for Park (UT), comes the suggestion that all buildings occupied 40 to 50 hours per pick-ups. Many types of paper, tab park and recreation buildings occupied week. It can program oil, gas, coal, or cards, computer printouts, and less than 24 hours per day—particularly electric heat (also air conditioning). By newspapers are accepted for recycling. those in areas which have long reducing heater operating hours 30 to The project saved money on winters—be equipped with a program­ 50 percent per year, it has the transportation, storage space, and mable temperature controller such as additional benefit of prolonging your housekeeping duties. The Administra­ the Energy Mi$er. heater's life. tors were pleasantly surprised and an This type of device, Mr. Epperson The unit measures 8x5x3 inches enthusiastic conservation attitude says, has proven effective in reducing (20 x 12.5 x 7.5 cm) and is simple to spread over the campus. fuel use and has lowered building attach to your existing thermostat. Recycling extends forest resources. heating costs as much as 30 percent. Sometimes one additional wire is Because the processing from wood to The Energy Mi$er Temperature needed from the power source; fiber has already been done, Controller attaches to your existing sometimes existing wiring is adequate. reprocessing paper requires fewer thermostat and automatically turns the The device has provision for locking chemicals and less fuel, so it creates less temperature down to 40 degrees at the and is supplied in 24V and 120V models air and water pollution. Recycling is not end of the working day. It re-warms to suit the two most common types of a fad; it is a reality and a meaningful the building and its contents before the conventional thermostats. response to the problems of start of the next working day. Energy Mi$ers can control groups of environmental pollution and resource Because the conventional thermostat heaters directly or though relays. Your conservation. has a low setting of 55 degrees, the main heating plant or valve can also be extra 15 degrees generates major fuel controlled with as few as 4 units Free copies of "Office Paper Recovery: An savings. Unlike conventional clock (costing $59.95 each). Implementation Manual," published by the U.S. thermostats, the Energy Mi$er can be Further information about this device Environmental Protection Agency, are available programmed for the whole week so can be obtained from Energy Mi$ers, from Solid Waste Information, EPA, that it doesn't warm up wastefully on 151 W. Industry Court, Deer Park, NY Cincinnati, OH 45268. days when the building is unoccupied, 11729. 44 Maintenance

Bypass Oil Pressure Switch for Mowing Machines

New Tool Checks Free Travel on Air Brake Adjustors

Checking the free travel on air brake adjustors traditionally requires two workers—one to apply the vehicle's brakes; another to observe and measure the travel. These adjustments are generally made with a pry bar, a device that is prone to slip and injure the mechanic's hands. Now, Ralph Seely, heavy duty equipment mechanic at Yosemite National Park (CA), has designed a unique tool for checking the free travel safely and more efficiently. Use of Seely's tool saves man hours—only one worker is now needed. More importantly, it eliminates a safety hazard and helps protect the mechanic's hands. DRAWING OF ALTERATIONS TO WIRING AND OIL LINE CONNECTIONS - HUSTLER MOWER For his ingenuity, Mr. Seely won a $125 incentive award.

When oil lines to oil pressure gauges 1. Cut wire going from switch to coil. on mowing machines break, and oil 2. Connect one end to one side of the leaks out while the engines are running, Make Switch. extensive engine damage can result. 3. Connect the other end to the other From James C. Brown, maintenance side of the Make Switch and to one worker at Fort Pulaski National side of the bypass switch. Monument (GA), comes an excellent 4. Connect the other side of bypass suggestion for avoiding this costly switch to the place where coil problem. Mr. Brown designed the originally was connected. following bypass oil pressure switch for his Hustler mowing machines, but the After this adjustment is made, device would work on any engine that workers starting the mower engine has an oil pressure gauge. should press the bypass switch until the Mr. Brown added a 10-lb (4.5 kg) oil pressure rises, then release it. If the Make Switch, extended his oil line with oil line breaks or oil pressure goes down a "T", added a push button bypass for any reason, the engine now will cut switch, and wired it. The wiring off. consists of four easy steps: 45 and Safety

Stronger Fire Extinguisher Brackets

The commercial aluminum brackets used to secure 21-2 lb. (1.1 kg) ABC Fire Extinguishers in vehicles frequently fail to withstand the constant wear and tear to which they are subjected. Gerald Tramm and Duane Esselstrom, of Kettle Moraine State Forest, Southern Unit (WI), now have found a long-life replacement for these weak brackets—PVC plastic pipe holders! All you need is a 10 inch (25 cm) length of 3-inch (7.5 cm) PVC plastic pipe; one 2- to 3-inch (5 to 7.5 cm) plastic reducer; glue for the PVC pipe, and two sheet metal screws. Total labor time for installation is about 5 minutes.

Mr. Lovelady silver solders a short Drain for Top of piece of 2-inch (5 cm) chromium- Booster Pump plated tubing to the top of the packing gland and a short piece of 3/8-inch (.9 cm) Water pump shaft glands are designed tubing to and through the side of the to bleed water for lubricating purposes. 2-inch (5 cm) sleeve around the shaft However, the bleeding often causes (This still permits the shaft to spin discoloration and rusting, eventually freely inside). Then he connects a Fl­ damaging and destroying the packing inch (1.25 cm) plastic pipe to the small gland and other areas exposed tubing to discharge the water into a constantly to the bleeding water. drain line. From Emmitt W. Lovelady, water Mr. Lovelady has equipped three treatment plant operator at Lake Mead booster pumps with this setup, creating National Recreation Area (AZ, NV), a type of drain which prevents water comes a practical method of eliminating from running freely out of the gland this bleeding damage and reducing onto the pump bowl and surrounding maintenance. area. 46 47 Storage and Security Anchoring Picnic Tables To Railroad Ties Here is a sketch of a simple, inexpensive, but very effective method of anchoring down picnic tables which seem to have a habit of wandering off from their specific site locations. Senior Park Ranger Wayne Long, Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation, Palisade, CO, uses two Plywood Window railroad ties ($2 to $5 each) buried to Covers Protect Unused ground level and spaced to accommodate the legs of the picnic table. Drill four Restrooms 7/16" (1.09cm) holes through the table legs and use 3/8" (,93cm) lag bolts 5" All parks are subject to vandalism (12.7cm) in length to secure the table to Partitioned Pass Box during the off-season. Janitor Leader the buried railroad ties. Thomas E. Pettet, of Grand Canyon An easy way to dig the trenches for the for Remote Control National Park (AZ), suggests one way ties is to use a Vee ditcher on your three- Stations to prevent vandals from destroying point hitch tractor to make the initial unused restrooms. trench. Then, a bit of shovel work to Cover the windows with 5/8 inch (1.6 Ron Slosson, Colorado State Forest improve the trench, level the ties, and cm) or 3/4-inch (1.9 cm) plywood, cover them. About one hour per table is seasonal ranger, shares with us a pass bolted to the frames of the windows on required to do the complete job. box designed for management of park the wood portion with lag screws. This passes to and from entrance stations in would protect windows from being remote areas. Including partitions and broken out by rocks. In the summer, door, the box is easy to transport in the covers could be taken off and stored vehicles and can be conveniently stored in the pipe alley of the restrooms. or used at entrance stations. The box Each restroom at Grand Canyon, for helps prevent passes from getting example, would require four sheets of scattered about and keeps station : plywood measuring 18 ,4 x 45 inches personnel better accountable for the (0.46 x 1.14 m) plus a 20- x 37-inch passes checked out to them. (0.51 x 0.94 m) piece for utility closets. This would cost about $60. per restroom. The price is a lot cheaper in the long run than replacing the double strength glass that is destroyed during the winter months each year.

New Application for Kitty Litter

Cleaning up a restroom after someone's messy "accident"! An unpleasant subject—but a more unpleasant task. Bill Krumbein, unit ranger, Annadel State Park (CA), spreads "kitty litter" on the mess. This absorbs the liquids, making it quite easy to sweep up into a dustpan. An inexpensive yet practical solution to an ongoing problem! 48

Managing Vandalism break-ins. Sealing them up or The Boston Approach narrowing them so they are (Continued from p. 41) difficult to squeeze through will reduce the risk of break- effectively maintaining and repairing ins. damage—as well as advice on when not to repair. Programming principles for • Exterior hardware on doors reducing damage, staff training should be eliminated wherever suggestions, insights on establishing possible. good dialogue with the community you • Panic hardware, closers, and serve—solid pointers await you on locks on exterior doors need nearly every page! frequent adjustment or repair to prevent weaknesses which Section II deals with common specific Illustrations by Kata Hull can be exploited by intruders. situations in which damage to • Trees, fences, and building recreation facilities takes place—in both . . . Once a break-in occurs, a fixtures can be seen as possible open space and recreation buildings. building becomes more vulnerable routes to upper-level windows The guide explores such problems as for further attempts. The physical or roofs. equipment damage, hanging out, signs of a first break-in suggest • Skylights are particularly littering, graffiti, vehicles, break-ins, not only that it can be done but susceptible to break-ins. Where theft, and closed buildings. For each how to go about it. Damaged security is a problem, they damage situation, a number of possible doors and windows which are should be avoided. responses are presented. repaired in a temporary or • Damage which occurs as a As an example, we reprint here, with makeshift way are especially easy result of break-ins should be permission, a section that focuses on targets. repaired to like-new condition building break-ins. as quickly as possible. * * * • If the hours of operation • Exterior doors with glass or Forced entry into recreation coincide as much as possible plastic panels are susceptible to centers, pools, fieldhouses, and with the times young people break-ins and are often other buildings is a serious want to use the buildings, damaged by normal rough use. problem for parks managers. particularly evenings, weekends, Solid metal doors are Break-ins occur for a variety of and holidays, the incentive for preferable. reasons. Teenagers enter buildings breaking in may be reduced. • When maintenance schedules in order to hang out; they may • Schedules of hours and are organized so that some of feel they have no other place to programs should be clearly the regular clean-up work is go. Others will break in simply to posted and carefully observed done after closing hours, the swim or play basketball after to avoid disappointing and presence of the custodians will normal hours, particularly on angering users. discourage break-ins. evenings and weekends. Users • If neighbors are given * * * who find a facility closed when it schedules of a recreation is supposed to be open may center's programs and asked to As this guide points out, there are no become frustrated and force their call police when they observe easy, pat solutions to damage problems. way in, feeling that it is their suspicious activity, they can But there are answers. Damage can be right to use it as scheduled. In become allies in a department's reduced. The best way may be to start this instance, damage to the damage control campaign. small—for example, by changing the building is often limited to a door • Lighting around the sides of design of a bench, altering the location lock or window broken to gain buildings may assist neighbors, of trash barrels, rescheduling the entry. passers-by, and police in keeping maintenance of a gym. Such modest But individuals or groups who an eye on the building. experiments will help a department feel they have been excluded by • Neighbors will be more likely prove to itself that it has some power another group of users or to spot intruders around to manage this most stubborn and mistreated by the staff may break recreation buildings if the discouraging problem. in and wreck the building. doors and windows are visible Whatever you decide to do about Breaking-in may also be seen as a from nearby residences, stores, damage to your park and recreation challenge or adventure, a teenage and streets. Recessed entry- facilities, an extremely profitable first version of children's "cops and ways make a building step would be to get a copy of Managing robbers." Yet another reason is to architecturally more interesting Violence. The guide is available from: steal money from cash boxes, but they shelter would-be Parkman Center for Urban Affairs, 33 vending machines, or snack bars intruders from public view. Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108. or to take equipment which has • Windows accessible from the Please enclose one dollar per copy for resale value . . . ground are easy targets for postage and handling.