Published: October 12, 2008 10:33 pm      

City sets 5 p.m. curfew at Moxham playground

Spurred by residents’ complaints, Johnstown officials have imposed a 5 p.m. curfew on a Moxham playground that frequently has been the site of trouble.

And officials say they may look at similar measures, or even age restrictions, at other playgrounds around the city.

For now, though, only the Village Street playground – also called Woodland Playpark – is affected by the early curfew.

“It’s unfortunate that some spoil it for others,” Councilman Nunzio Johncola said.

Johncola was among the council members who heard a plea last week from Moxham resident Lori Matthews-Alicardi, who said residents near the Village Street play area are “pretty fed up.” She said teenagers are hanging out at the facility, and she cited concerns about profanity, drug use and potential vandalism.

Because of the situation, she said, “the younger kids are not even coming anymore.”

It’s not the first time residents have complained about unsavory activities at the playground, which also was the site of a 2005 arson that damaged wooden play equipment.

And while Matthews-Alicardi said city police have been doing all they can, police Chief Craig Foust said an earlier curfew is “an enforcement tool for us to use.”

So the new restriction will remain in effect for the foreseeable future. Johncola acknowledged that 5 p.m. is an early curfew in summer months, but he said council had no choice.

Council also briefly debated setting age limits at city playgrounds in order to keep older teens out. City Solicitor Joseph R. Green expressed concern about possible “constitutional issues” and said he would research the issue.