GRANITE QUARRY — After weekend vandalism at Civic Park, town officials are asking for residents’ help in keeping a watchful eye on all recreational facilities.

“If somebody sees something, let us know,” Town Manager Phil Conrad said at Monday night’s meeting of the Board of Aldermen.

Maintenance Director Jason Hord told aldermen he went to Civic Park early Saturday morning to make sure it was ready for an Easter egg hunt. He found that vandals had destroyed brick pavers underneath a shelter, upended garbage cans and spread trash everywhere.

“It was decimated when we got there,” Hord said.

It took two and a half hours to clean up.

Hord said police officers and the three-man town maintenance staff cannot watch the parks around the clock.

“We’re looking to also involve the community and ask for citizens’ help to see if we can all band together,” Hord said.

Meanwhile, aldermen said improved lighting and security cameras might help.

“Light is a vandal’s worst enemy,” Alderman Kim Cress said. “Your community watch is a good route to go, but light is your best friend.”

Several other items were on aldermen’s radar Monday, including the long pending cleanup of the town-owned lot at South Main and Rowan streets. Aldermen gave Ken Miller, who they had an agreement with to clear the property, two weeks to get the job done.

A 1905 depot is on the property. Miller acknowledged he started work on the site “November a year ago.”

“We need you out as soon as possible,” Cress told Miller.

Miller said health problems have plagued him for months and that he had spent time in both the hospital and a nursing center. Until Monday, he hadn’t been back to the site since Jan. 15, but Miller said he’s feeling better and ready to get the job done.

“I want you all to be happy,” he said.

Miller said the forest pine lumber from the building to be torn down will be going to a man in Virginia.

“It needs to be done and finished, and we have to move on with the property,” Mayor Bill Feather said.

Contact Mark Wineka at 704-797-4263.