SAN ANGELO — All Tom Green County public parks have been shut down for the remainder of May after a Christoval park was trashed by weekend crowds, according to a news release from county and San Angelo officials.
Starting 6 p.m. Thursday, May 7, 2020, all public parks in Tom Green County are closed to the public to limit congregating during the coronavirus pandemic, according to the release.
Dr. James Vretis, county health authority, issued the order Thursday afternoon, five days after Christoval's Pugh Park met an estimated crowd of over 1,000 on Saturday, May 3.
The order will close Christoval's Pugh Park, Mineral Wells Crossing and the low water crossing at Loop 110. Foster Park also will be closed, according to the release. Parks could reopen June 1, 2020.
City parks in San Angelo are not closed by this order. People can contact the Tom Green County’s Sheriff’s Office at 325-655-8111 for more information, according to the release.
Camping at city parks and Lake Nasworthy is still prohibited.
For information about Twin Buttes Reservoir and San Angelo State Park, please contact Texas Parks & Wildlife.
More: Weekend crowds of over 1,000 leave Christoval park trashed
Christoval resident airs concern about 'dangerous conditions' at Pugh Park
Christoval resident Carolyn Campbell spoke during a Tom Green County Commissioner's Court meeting Tuesday and said the area is usually an ideal place to live, but the crowds and the trash have gotten out of hand.
"We've heard the noise increase. We live in a sleepy little community most of the time. It's heaven on Earth," Campbell said.
Campbell said due to the Christoval community's small size, residents are often quick to note changes.
"We've certainly recognized (change) over the last few weeks," Campbell said, then noted Pugh Park had taken on a personality that left residents fearful for their safety and well-being.
"We are the 'party park.' We're where they want to come and drink and participate possibly in drugs and other things," she said.
Despite orders from Gov. Greg Abbott to avoid gatherings of large crowds, Campbell told county commissioners the area was rife with loud music, increased traffic, vehicles driving down the wrong side of the road, vehicles "doing donuts" with children nearby, and trash left in the park — all of which had become increasing concerns of area residents who she said are now worried to walk down Christoval's narrow streets out of fear of being run over.
Campbell said she now won't allow her grandchildren near Pugh Park, and requested that officials do something to make the area safer.
"It's no longer 'our community.' It's 'their park," Campbell said. "It's become a danger."
Christoval resident Tammy Harper, 39, shared her own frustrations at what she's seen at Mineral Wells Crossing. On May 2, Harper took her family for a dip in the South Concho River to escape the stifling 102 degree heat.
Instead of a quiet place to relax, Harper said she found people — lots of them.
"There were about 300 to 500 people," Harper said. "(They) not only trashed the place, but they were not social distancing. There were cars parked on the already narrow roadway causing it to be hard for residents to cross the river to get home."
Harper expressed frustration that area parks have been closed but said she recognized the need for doing so.
"As much as I was hoping they would leave it open and patrol it, I do realize why they had to shut it down," Harper said. "I wish that they would allow only Christoval residents to utilize the parks, but who’s going to police that? I’m just frustrated that the ones who do not live here ruined it for the ones who do live out here."
Alana Edgin is a journalist covering Crime and Courts in West Texas. Send her a news tip at aedgin@gannett.com. Consider supporting West Texas journalism with a subscription to GoSanAngelo.com.
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Tom Green County parks shut down through May after crowds trash Christoval park - Standard-Times
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