Grilling and Illegal Parking Out of Control in Green Acres Park, Salisbury Commissioner Says

Visitors to are cooking on makeshift grills and parking illegally, according to Salisbury Township Board of Commmissioner Joanne Ackerman.

“It is literally tearing the neighborhood apart,” Ackerman told the board at its Thursday meeting. Ackerman lives near the park.  “This is really getting out of hand.”

Ackerman said the problems have been ongoing for years. She said a large group of people converged at the park’s pavilion for a party on June 4. Approximately 60 to 80 visitors parked their cars illegally and created a possible fire hazard by using two charcoals grills, made out of half-barrels, placed under evergreen trees, Ackerman said.  She said she is concerned problems will get worse this summer if nothing is done.

Township Manager Randy Soriano said park users are allowed to use grills for parties if  they acquire the official permits. He noted there are posted signs in the park that inform users of the proper rules and regulations for grilling.

Director of Public Works John Andreas said the park's pavilion has a designated area for visitors to use grills.

Police Chief Allen Stiles said aside from one complaint of an illegally parked car at Green Acres, no other incidents of criminal behavior were reported at the park that day.  Stiles said his officers ask people who park illegally to move their cars before a ticket is issued. The department will continue to patrol the park, he said.

Commissioner President James Brown said all park violations must be reported to the police.