Renovate Robert’s Grove!
Donation protected
The Titusville Herald recently published an article detailing the problem of vandalism in Titusville area parks. Robert’s Grove has had multiple issues with vandalism, which has been noted to occur at Burgess Park and other parks as well. In addition to vandalism, Robert’s Grove Park has been noted to have dirty and damaged play equipment due to lack of funding through the city for necessary maintenance and upkeep.
Certain efforts to clean and repair the park in the past have been made, only to again fall prey to vandalism later along in the future. It is my opinion that the most effective course of action is to secure the park through a video security system as well as signage that indicates that the areas are video monitored. Achieving these goals first will give some amount of prevention towards having repeat vandalism occur toward areas in which repairs are invested.
I have personally met with Travis Grieco (the owner of Canadohta Security) to discuss the details of the project. Travis provided the initial $18,000 quote to the city for installing cameras in 3 different park areas. To secure Robert’s Grove alone would come in at under $7,000. Additionally, Travis shared that he would happily donate a camera to a community-funded project such as this.
In addition to speaking with Travis, I also did a walk through of the park with him where we further discussed camera placement and installation. There were no major obstacles identified. I have also met with City Manager Larry Manross, Chief Minch of the Titusville Police Department, and also Parks Coordinator Tim Brunst. All parties are ready and willing to put these plans into action, if achievable. I am hopeful that the community is ready and willing to step-up and come together to make these changes happen.
Because I am unsure of how much support we can raise, I have separated the goals into primary and secondary goals. The secondary goals will be worked towards after meeting a benchmark amount of $7,000 to achieve the primary goals. Any amounts raised over $7,000 will go towards secondary goals, as funds are available.
Primary Goals (if $7,000 raised):
- Purchase and install a video security system with adequate coverage to monitor the area of the pavilion, lower basketball court, and limited views of the play sets at Robert’s Grove.
- Secure the doors of the pavilion building with an alarm in an effort to prevent further break-ins or vandalism to the doors.
- Purchase and install signage to indicate that park areas are video monitored. Also consider a sign to inform park goers that the TAPD request that reports of vandalism be called in through 911 for dispatch rather than the local station.
- Sand and repaint the wooden portions of the pavilion building which have been vandalized and carved into.
Secondary Goals (In Excess of $7,000):
- Purchase and install additional security cameras/equipment to provided added coverage to monitor the playground areas with additional angles and the upper basketball court.
- Replace the bent and damaged pavilion doors and locks with new locks and new doors if needed.
- Purchase and install vandal-resistant lighting in the pavilion at Robert’s Grove.
- Purchase and install a replacement clear dome for the smaller child’s play set.
- Purchase and install new chain nets for the basketball court hoops (but not before Area can be monitored to prevent vandalism/theft.
- Purchase and install vandal-resistant paper towel, soap dispenser, and mirror in the pavilion restroom.
- Purchase and install additional bench seating near the playgrounds and basketball courts if needed/possible.
In addition to these goals, I am working to coordinate a community clean-up day for the park. During this time, the objectives will be to thoroughly clean the pre-existing playground equipment, and identify parts or portions that may need to be repaired or replaced if necessary. I know for sure that the smaller playground needs a replacement clear dome to prevent water, tree debris, dirt, and bird feces from falling down into the “fort” section. Once this day has been organized, I will make a public event to promote through Facebook.
THANK YOU all for your time and your consideration in giving towards this project. As an incentive to give, all donors who give in excess of $30 will be eligible to receive a T-Shirt which reads “I Renovated Robert’s Grove!” If you would rather choose to NOT have a T-Shirt, and have 100% of your donation go towards the park, please let me know! All donors who give in excess of $100 will have their names recorded for a “dedication plaque” to be installed in the park at a later time once the fundraising efforts are completed!
*This is an independent fundraiser initiative started by a Titusville resident. It has in no way been coordinated by the City of Titusville or City Council. However, this effort will collaborate with the City however necessary to assure that the fundraiser is successful.
**Assumptions/Comments:
- Donations will be used for the goals listed above. If monies are raised in excess of the needs of the primary goals, the monies will then be used towards secondary goals. If donated monies exceed the needs for all goals, the difference will be donated to the City of Titusville Parks Department.
- 100% of donation profits will be used for Robert’s Grove and the parks of Titusville if monies raised exceed what is necessary for Robert’s Grove. GoFundMe does retain a small portion of donations as “administrative fees.” If you would like to donate directly, outside of GoFundMe, please contact Jimmy Gionti through Facebook messenger or via email at [email redacted].
Certain efforts to clean and repair the park in the past have been made, only to again fall prey to vandalism later along in the future. It is my opinion that the most effective course of action is to secure the park through a video security system as well as signage that indicates that the areas are video monitored. Achieving these goals first will give some amount of prevention towards having repeat vandalism occur toward areas in which repairs are invested.
I have personally met with Travis Grieco (the owner of Canadohta Security) to discuss the details of the project. Travis provided the initial $18,000 quote to the city for installing cameras in 3 different park areas. To secure Robert’s Grove alone would come in at under $7,000. Additionally, Travis shared that he would happily donate a camera to a community-funded project such as this.
In addition to speaking with Travis, I also did a walk through of the park with him where we further discussed camera placement and installation. There were no major obstacles identified. I have also met with City Manager Larry Manross, Chief Minch of the Titusville Police Department, and also Parks Coordinator Tim Brunst. All parties are ready and willing to put these plans into action, if achievable. I am hopeful that the community is ready and willing to step-up and come together to make these changes happen.
Because I am unsure of how much support we can raise, I have separated the goals into primary and secondary goals. The secondary goals will be worked towards after meeting a benchmark amount of $7,000 to achieve the primary goals. Any amounts raised over $7,000 will go towards secondary goals, as funds are available.
Primary Goals (if $7,000 raised):
- Purchase and install a video security system with adequate coverage to monitor the area of the pavilion, lower basketball court, and limited views of the play sets at Robert’s Grove.
- Secure the doors of the pavilion building with an alarm in an effort to prevent further break-ins or vandalism to the doors.
- Purchase and install signage to indicate that park areas are video monitored. Also consider a sign to inform park goers that the TAPD request that reports of vandalism be called in through 911 for dispatch rather than the local station.
- Sand and repaint the wooden portions of the pavilion building which have been vandalized and carved into.
Secondary Goals (In Excess of $7,000):
- Purchase and install additional security cameras/equipment to provided added coverage to monitor the playground areas with additional angles and the upper basketball court.
- Replace the bent and damaged pavilion doors and locks with new locks and new doors if needed.
- Purchase and install vandal-resistant lighting in the pavilion at Robert’s Grove.
- Purchase and install a replacement clear dome for the smaller child’s play set.
- Purchase and install new chain nets for the basketball court hoops (but not before Area can be monitored to prevent vandalism/theft.
- Purchase and install vandal-resistant paper towel, soap dispenser, and mirror in the pavilion restroom.
- Purchase and install additional bench seating near the playgrounds and basketball courts if needed/possible.
In addition to these goals, I am working to coordinate a community clean-up day for the park. During this time, the objectives will be to thoroughly clean the pre-existing playground equipment, and identify parts or portions that may need to be repaired or replaced if necessary. I know for sure that the smaller playground needs a replacement clear dome to prevent water, tree debris, dirt, and bird feces from falling down into the “fort” section. Once this day has been organized, I will make a public event to promote through Facebook.
THANK YOU all for your time and your consideration in giving towards this project. As an incentive to give, all donors who give in excess of $30 will be eligible to receive a T-Shirt which reads “I Renovated Robert’s Grove!” If you would rather choose to NOT have a T-Shirt, and have 100% of your donation go towards the park, please let me know! All donors who give in excess of $100 will have their names recorded for a “dedication plaque” to be installed in the park at a later time once the fundraising efforts are completed!
*This is an independent fundraiser initiative started by a Titusville resident. It has in no way been coordinated by the City of Titusville or City Council. However, this effort will collaborate with the City however necessary to assure that the fundraiser is successful.
**Assumptions/Comments:
- Donations will be used for the goals listed above. If monies are raised in excess of the needs of the primary goals, the monies will then be used towards secondary goals. If donated monies exceed the needs for all goals, the difference will be donated to the City of Titusville Parks Department.
- 100% of donation profits will be used for Robert’s Grove and the parks of Titusville if monies raised exceed what is necessary for Robert’s Grove. GoFundMe does retain a small portion of donations as “administrative fees.” If you would like to donate directly, outside of GoFundMe, please contact Jimmy Gionti through Facebook messenger or via email at [email redacted].
Organizer
Jimmy Gionti
Organizer
Titusville, PA
