Heflin council closes parks at night

Faced with reports of vandalism  at the city park ,, the Heflin City Council on Tuesday voted to close the city’s public parks at 10 p.m. each night.  City officials said the parks restroom facilities have been the target of vandals on several occasions.  The council voted Tuesday to close the parks, the pavilions and bathrooms at the watershed and the public recreation areas at the Community Arts Center at 10 p.m. on weekdays and 11pm on weekends excluding special events in an effort to keep vandals out of the facilities. The parks won’t actually be closed with a gate but the facilities will be closed.  Acting police chief Captain A. J. Benefield told the council that Closing the parks will allow the police to patrol them and clear anyone off the premises.