COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KRHD) — Visitors at Brian Bachmann Community Park in College Station are dealing with locked restrooms after a string of vandalism forced city officials to close them until further notice.
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City officials shut down multiple restrooms after investigators discovered fire-related vandalism across the park. The closed restrooms include those near the skate park and Senior League fields.
College Station Deputy Fire Marshal Derek Bishop said the closures are meant to protect visitors and prevent further damage.
"Number one, we don't need them inside of the restrooms just due to the damage that needs to be repaired and then, secondary, we don't want further vandalism to continue," Bishop said.
For now, visitors have to use the Little League restrooms or temporary porta-potties near the T-ball area. 15 ABC timed the walk from the skate park — it takes about three minutes to reach the porta-potties and about four minutes to get to the Little League restrooms.
College Station Parks and Recreation representative Kelsey Heiden said the situation is an inconvenience for everyone.
"It's unfortunate and it really is an inconvenience to everybody because now we've had to shut down the restrooms and alternatives are having to be used," Heiden said.
For College Station resident Michael Villarreal, the park is part of his daily routine. He skates there about five times a week, and the locked restrooms have disrupted that routine.
"I go out of my way already to come here and it's kind of a bummer, man," Villarreal said.
Villarreal said it's frustrating to see a community space take a hit.
"This is a public park, you know, people like to bring their family here," Villarreal said.
"I mean there's kids that play at the pool right next door, like literally walking distance," Villarreal said.
He hopes the vandalism stops so people can get back to using the park without the extra hassle.
"If we can cut out vandalism, then we can cut out a lot of stuff that gets in the way of, you know, people just trying to enjoy," Villarreal said.
Parks officials say they hope to reopen the restrooms within the next couple of weeks. Anyone with information about the vandalism is urged to contact the Fire Marshal's Office at 979-764-3778.
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