Council hopes to improve behavior around the park

By Ben Orcutt -- Daily Staff Writer

FRONT ROYAL — The Town Council agreed on Monday to post a list of rules of conduct at the gazebo area in an effort to curtail bad behavior there.

After lengthy debate during a work session, the panel authorized town staff to post signs stating rules of conduct in the gazebo area, which is bounded by Chester and Main streets and will include the clock area at their intersection.

Town Manager J. Michael Graham said the signs should be posted within the next few days. While the rules may be subject to change, those discussed on Monday are:

* All children 11 and under must be accompanied by an adult, 18 or over.

* Consumption or possession of alcohol is prohibited without proper authorization by the town of Front Royal and Virginia ABC Board.

* Horseplay is prohibited at all times.

* Portable sound systems are prohibited unless equipped with earphones.

* Loud and/or abusive and/or profane language or disruptive behavior is prohibited.

* Ball playing is prohibited.

* The town of Front Royal is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Once the rules of conduct are posted, town police can issue no trespassing notices forbidding violators from entering the property for one year.

Front Royal police Capt. Richard H. Furr told the council that two of the biggest complaints police receive about the gazebo area are foul language being used and horseplay.

Councilman N. Shae Parker had some concerns about horseplay.

"What is horseplay?" Parker asked. "How do we define that?"

Graham said that some of the behavior that may be classified as horseplay is youths climbing on limbs in the gazebo area, which he said is killing the trees. Graham said another example of horseplay is youths jumping on the backs of park benches.

Councilman Chris W. Holloway told his colleagues that he recently heard foul language being used at the gazebo area.

"I was appalled," Holloway said. "They don't care."

Since a greater police presence seems to be having an impact on curtailing bad behavior in the gazebo area, Vice Mayor Bret W. Hrbek said he would not be in favor of posting rules of conduct.

However, in the end, the consensus of the panel was to post the rules of conduct at least for a six-month period and then determine if they are still necessary.

"I think it's a good thing," Councilman Carson C. Lauder Jr. said.

"I feel comfortable that we have it under control," Graham said.

But, Graham added, "I think there's certain things they need to be aware of. These [rules] are just reminders."

The council opted not to put limits on the hours of operation at the gazebo area. Those under 18 are already subject to a midnight curfew anywhere in town.

* Contact Ben Orcutt at borcutt@nvdaily.com