[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6123994,"mediaKeyId","2686770-4c526341838690c1a55de30c43ba7113","parentId",2686770,"title","Lebanon parks installs facial‑recognition cameras, bans repeat offenders after vandalism at inclusive playground","audioSeconds",180,"startMs",1546000,"endMs",1726000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2686770-4c526341838690c1a55de30c43ba7113&start=1546&end=1726","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2686770-4c526341838690c1a55de30c43ba7113/thumbnail_1546000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6123994/Lebanon-City/Boone-County/Indiana/Lebanon-parks-installs-facialrecognition-cameras-bans-repeat-offenders-after-vandalism-at-inclusive-playground","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6123994-c497044e38f9acc75b271a20a871e79d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442746&Signature=fF43xghIDb9gHBNoo-eLPL~sUKTJQxq81iEWrANyqlrmriRwPVCiXdT7PZIrwW3kS3LTTJRgtwLuOycdcx4TgTJg~73~5BKzFll1gNwyQ9IQNj-SfvaHXnbZUPtq4Q0oN7WvUf8Q4DG4VK0S70Q1exvAR7ECIh3dsc8kytgvu87wd42NJCVgV2WveexrzOvoaBFVAPJOCSqd2BZHR7wlXHrLNMHKaWaX3HWXZqgHJA0PVAa5dzEsC3YiAHupkhDGAHE71WxiN9Id658qPcB1kX1wtvwmwyTscq748h~MMsD6EY9vKGA~R-Zvr8GepU4PPri~WXOAqj4ATUnGXSPePw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Lebanon IN","date","2025-03-18T10:34:44Z","article","Lebanon City parks officials said vandalism to a newly installed all‑inclusive playground prompted stepped‑up security measures, including facial‑recognition cameras, prosecutions and trespass bans for identified offenders.

\"We have 57 cameras just at this park alone,\" said John Messenger, parks director, and he said cameras and recording have helped identify people responsible for vandalism and other bad behavior. Messenger said the department has trespassed 49 people (children and adults) from the parks system and pursues restitution and prosecution where appropriate.

Messenger described two recent incidents in which gates at the ADA‑accessible playground were ripped off and required repairs. He said the first gate repair cost about $1,700 and the second about $2,300; parts can have long lead times, he added.

Allison Morton, programs director, described the department's new facial‑recognition cameras and tests underway: \"I believe we're the first one in the state of Indiana with this type of camera. We have 3 or 4 in the park. Yes. One specifically at the entrance of the water park,\" Morton said. She said the system can alert staff if a person previously flagged as trespassed returns to a monitored entrance.

Officials urged the public to report criminal or unsafe behavior. Morton said if an incident is in progress or an immediate danger exists callers should dial 911; during park hours residents may also report incidents in person at the park office or leave a voicemail to prompt staff follow‑up.

Messenger said the department works with the county prosecutor and local law enforcement to seek restitution and criminal charges when warranted. He added that some individuals may be allowed to return after community service or other conditions, but currently 49 people are banned from the system.

The parks department framed the cameras and bans as efforts to protect facilities and users. \"We're just protecting our investment,\" Messenger said. Officials did not provide technical specifications, retention policies or written privacy rules for the facial‑recognition system on the podcast; those details were not specified.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Episode 206 - Lebanon Parks Department | John Messenger & Allyson Morton","oneSentenceSummary","After gates were repeatedly torn off an ADA‑accessible playground and other vandalism, Lebanon City Parks said it has installed advanced cameras and issued trespass bans for identified offenders; staff urged residents to report incidents to police or park staff.","taxTitle","Lebanon City, Boone County, Indiana","taxId",70536,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6123999,"Memorial Park pickleball courts to be completely rebuilt; Abner Longley park to receive trail and court upgrades",106,595000,701000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2686770-4c526341838690c1a55de30c43ba7113&start=595&end=701","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2686770-4c526341838690c1a55de30c43ba7113/thumbnail_595000.jpg","/articles/6123999/Lebanon-City/Boone-County/Indiana/Memorial-Park-pickleball-courts-to-be-completely-rebuilt-Abner-Longley-park-to-receive-trail-and-court-upgrades","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6123999-6da47cb56af4c3002b0cc8b9f39c2ed1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442746&Signature=M3TzZVTtR~puASvOtiqIUGEqLZytO2jaUfCSETs3-EEkiw4pvFmlsRfvQPlMxWFwxsYqTE~gVnH8MZUyHNPeLTZnQqQ89cnqs2WLh6Ge7l44I9UPxch16yMHufXnGQMI4v3EVGIufmUmJEvYSE-TjaE3iobZkjRw3j0DXqZLPa41AWOFFTdNIQNxIpet7JFFOExZTnMmVjFjJhCKUzEv0vT-c5V27UQ2lJE~9px-UVFpqfv8Kgtgc0fzKbKu~24h34WjA2tyn5tdm0iCetr1tJMSwhNZqU8AuRZnoK01WoY8MaIbtEoSY83DkCqJXCLVqPgoLgzB9kyfAhR3s5kgJA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lebanon City plans a full reconstruction of the pickleball courts at Memorial Park this spring and a separate, larger renovation of Abner Longley Park that will include new courts, lighting and expanded trail connections.

\"They're being dismantled, taken down, and improved,\" said John Messenger, parks director, describing demolition now under way at Memorial Park. Messenger said contractors will tear out the old court surfaces and lay new asphalt; lighting at Memorial Park will be retained to reduce costs.

Messenger said the department expects Memorial Park work to be finished in June or July, and staff are aiming to host a tournament or grand reopening around the July 4 holiday, weather permitting. He said Abner Longley will follow: \"That's a total redo, rip out, tear out, new courts, new lighting, and that'll be 4 pickleball courts and 1 to, full, tennis court.\" Messenger also said the contractor will build a walkway system to encircle Abner Longley, a roughly 75‑acre park with an approximately 3.5‑acre pond, improving pedestrian connectivity to the Big 4 Trail.

On funding, Messenger said the city holds park impact fees that can be used to buy property or add new park amenities but not for routine maintenance. He cited a recent property purchase at 313 Beck Street intended to improve an Abner Longley entrance and related connectivity work.

Allison Morton, programs director, said leagues and tournaments will resume after courts are completed; the spring league will not run this year because of the reconstruction, and staff plan to resume fall programming.

Officials said Memorial Park will not have its lights replaced during this project because those fixtures are still serviceable, a decision meant to reduce project cost. Timeline and final scope remain subject to weather and contractor scheduling.","Lebanon City will remove and replace existing pickleball courts at Memorial Park, follow with a full redo at Abner Longley Park, and add trail connectivity; funding will use park impact fees for land or new amenities but not maintenance.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6124003,"Lebanon parks staff ramp up maintenance, summer hiring and pool prep for spring season",1892,102000,1994000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2686770-4c526341838690c1a55de30c43ba7113&start=102&end=1994","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2686770-4c526341838690c1a55de30c43ba7113/thumbnail_102000.jpg","/articles/6124003/Lebanon-City/Boone-County/Indiana/Lebanon-parks-staff-ramp-up-maintenance-summer-hiring-and-pool-prep-for-spring-season","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6124003-0d5df3b6cb8cd2d698cc2d554066e4ba/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442746&Signature=i3XerZpIDWn6L-1lTfGh5brxqzjWXdw594YR7FmK1k-XwgqwFx76FkPFmd5p962XV0pNsgF0XtXEeza9Yn2yFA~60EEzNyNGM8esCCGYk64KXIVVbLtXgrsTgyzggd~llBNg~UAvnK33n64Zb-advTXmPpd9cPGmZ8ecuflSn4H8B0BimgLsdKJHpVIoLWH~d63G~2adcNJ0b988Z690n2o-pSxQaWC3FjgbW8FITgu4DT0q2Z6g13vOc1-czrIlcByv2lzdFqQjuGsez4c09YKVLbDN95O~7w7FrvSwT7mSEpBofSICrzALzjgjGTAsz9RN2lxP2Zc0PZP3bo-wiw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lebanon City parks officials said crews have completed winter equipment overhauls, finished seasonal hiring and begun repairs and preparations for this year’s pool season and trail openings.

\"We tear all the mowers and all the equipment down, put it back together, touch ups,\" said John Messenger, parks director for the City of Lebanon, describing winter maintenance and safety training the department conducts before spring operations. Messenger said staff also completed safety classes and certification testing over the winter.

Allison Morton, programs director, said the department finished two open interview dates in January and February and completed summer hiring. \"We have finished hiring for the summer. So, yeah, we're excited to bring the new employees on and we've got some good ones coming,\" Morton said. Parks officials told the podcast they hired about 28 summer employees for pool operations and added at least one full‑time maintenance worker to the roster.

The department said crews have cleaned and cut brush on the Big 4 Trail, power washed the pool and completed repairs at multiple park properties. Messenger said Seashore Waterpark and the pool are being prepared, including bed edging, leaf removal and other maintenance; he said some repairs remain but that staff expect pools and fields to be ready for practices and scheduled programs in the coming weeks.

Messenger highlighted recent and ongoing amenity projects: a completed Stone Eater Bike Park, a trailhead on Ralston, a new disc‑golf course with a planned map and pads, and new restroom enclosures in multiple parks. He said Abner Longley Park (also referenced as Admiral/Abner Longley in the podcast) now includes a newly installed playground and that the city is continuing to add trail connectivity.

The parks department suggested volunteers and community partners remain important to operations: Messenger thanked a high school special education program for filling eggs for the annual Easter egg hunt and cited donations from local businesses for event supplies.

The department recommended residents check lebanonparks.org and seashorewaterpark.org for program schedules, shelter rentals, pool hours and registration information.","Lebanon City parks officials said crews finished winter maintenance, completed hires for summer programs and prepared Seashore Waterpark and multiple trails and amenities for the spring and summer season.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lebanon parks installs facial‑recognition cameras, bans repeat offenders after vandalism at inclusive playground

Memorial Park pickleball courts to be completely rebuilt; Abner Longley park to receive trail and court upgrades

Lebanon parks staff ramp up maintenance, summer hiring and pool prep for spring season