The KSAT 12 Defenders uncovered reports of drug use and theft at a West Side park, as well as frequent city maintenance, after a complaint from a viewer.
The viewer, who wanted to remain anonymous, emailed photographs of Heritage Duck Pond Park at 900 S. Ellison Drive showing graffiti covering the gazebo, utility boxes and more surfaces.
The person emailing wrote that there are "problems with gangs, drug usage, alcohol consumption" and that the park is "a safe-haven for criminal activity."
The Defenders examined police reports for the park and found incidents of theft and drug use. In a roughly 15-month period, there were five drug reports, five reported thefts and two weapons violations, along with various other offenses.
In terms of maintenance, during fiscal year 2013 and up until April 2014, graffiti was cleaned 23 times and the gazebo was repainted twice. The city identified $34,775 in direct expenses plus more that could not be calculated.
Jennifer Bellanger brought her children, Christopher and Kaylie, to the duck pond one recent afternoon.
"I think it needs to be cleaned up," Bellanger said.
She said there has been a trash problem at the park and also problems with unsupervised children.
"I feel like maybe it would help if somebody came by and checked on it every once in a while," Bellanger said. "I think like a lot of parents let their kids come down here and they abuse the animals and they don't watch them. They break eggs."
Other visitors, though, say the park is well maintained.
"I think it's pretty well kept up," Ramiro Parga said. "I mean, there's a little trash here, but I figure it's just from the cars (or) wind blowing it over here."
Kelly Irvin, spokeswoman for the Parks and Recreation Department, said crime and maintenance issues were not out of control at the park.
"I would not describe it in that way, no," Irvin said. "Maintenance issues and repairs are going to arise and our staff is diligently addressing those as they come up."
She said Heritage Duck Pond is an urban park with the problems associated with other urban parks.
"I couldn't say if it's better or worse," Irvin said. "It's an urban park. We have to do power-washing there. It's a duck habitat, so we deal with that. And so that's just part of what we do."
Despite problems and complaints, she says the city is committed to maintaining the park for the benefit of residents.
Next year, Heritage Duck Pond Park will get $400,000 worth of improvements, including the construction of a skate park.