Ewa's Geiger Park, shown here with a view of surrounding homes, is the center of a debate that pits the desire of some residents to keep the park open nights against those who feel the nighttime hours are an invitation to vandals. The ' Ewa Neighborhood Board will vote tonight on whether to keep the park open nights or close it.
People feel strongly both ways.
Opponents of the closure say the park should remain open for public use at all hours and closing it will not prevent crime. Miyashiro said board members voted against closing the park located off Kapolei Parkway in April 2000 because they wanted the entire community notified about the closure request. That has happened, she said, and the board will vote today. City Parks Director Bill Balfour will attend the meeting and has said he will close the park if that is what the community and the board want, Miyashiro said. Tonee Grace Fuller, area Neighborhood Security Watch coordinator, sent a letter to the board stating that watch members have called police several times after seeing illegal late-night activities including noisy groups drinking alcohol and vandalizing playground equipment.