The skate park, which opened in 2014, was built in memory of 15-year-old Buda resident Jackson Tyler Norris, who passed away in 2011 after being hit by a car in Lockhart while skateboarding. The in-ground concrete facility features various skate elements, a memorial area and other amenities, according to the city’s website.
Some context
The city said the park had been vandalized several times over the past year, with damage becoming more extensive each time. Even during the most recent closure, individuals jumped the fence to spray graffiti and cause further damage.
The park was initially closed after the on-site bathrooms were destroyed, according to the Facebook post. Fixtures were smashed and ripped from the walls, mirrors were broken, and toilets were pulled out, the city said. This was the fourth major incident in the past year.
While repairs were underway, city staff discovered a damaged utility line connected to the nearby water tower, further delaying the reopening.
“Replacing toilets and sinks seems simple, but the Parks Department doesn’t have repairs this extensive in the budget every few months,” the city wrote in its post.
The overview
To help prevent future incidents, the city permanently closed the restrooms and installed security cameras that will be actively monitored. Portable toilets have been placed on-site.
Michelle Henley, Buda’s public information officer, said many residents calling for the park to reopen on social media may not have understood its significance.
“Anytime there is something like [vandalism], we always try to go and rectify it as soon as possible because it's not just that park,” Henley said. “But in particular that park—it is in [Jackson’s] honor, and so it just feels so disrespectful.”
The background
Vandalism at the park is not new. In 2017, the city reported an incident in which a memorial tree was uprooted and hung upside down from a pergola.
“It’s incredibly disrespectful not just to the city to destroy city property, but the pain it brings to the family and Jackson’s friends. It’s incredibly hurtful,” said Rebecca Norris, Jackson's mother, in a 2017 news release.
What’s next
City officials and Henley said the best way for residents to help is by encouraging others to respect the space and report any vandalism or suspicious activity to the Buda Police Department’s non-emergency line.
“The City cannot continue to spend money on repairs time after time and keep the park open for years to come,” the city wrote in the Facebook post.
