Park and Recreation Director Kevin Arand said he has asked young teens to leave the park on several occasions due to lewd behavior that chases families and children from the main park area.

He asked the city park advisory board to review a list of ordinances he complied from cities across the nation and suggest rules that are suitable for Union parks.

"There is nobody coming to the main park because of these kids," said Arand. "We put a lot of money into the park to get people to come there."

Arand noted that there have been "Donated by" and "Dedicated to" signs ripped from posts, and other vandalism near the park main pavilion. He added that he often sits at the park to monitor children who congregate at the park.

Arand said those who seem to cause the most trouble are between the ages of 13 and 15 years old.

"We are trying to get these kids out of the park," he told park board members. "If there is nobody there to watch, they are screaming, hollering, pushing and shoving." v Arand said if rules are posted, it may curb some vandalism and unwanted behavior at the park. He asked the park board to suggest rules and stress the need for the rules to the Union Board of Aldermen.

One rule Arand suggested is to not allow children under 16 to congregate at the park without a parent or guardian present.

"If we make rules like this and post them we might keep 13-, 14- and 15-year-olds, whose parent don't care where they are, away from the park" he said.

He said he will speak with the city attorney to define "congregate" and make sure the rules are legal.

Arand said that he has kicked teens out of the park numerous times for cussing, spitting or causing other problems. He also has reported some incidents to Union police who have removed teens from the park.

A second rule Arand suggested was to forbid contact or competitive sports in the main park. He said there are other park areas that are suitable for football or soccer, but small children could be injured during some sports at the main park, and grass is being killed.

Arand submitted several rules to park board members to review. "A lot of these things I am getting from parks that have been implemented across the country," he said.

At a special board of aldermen meeting Monday, City Administrator Russell Rost said a city committee will look into the rules suggested by Arand and the park board.

When asked, Arand told aldermen that the cameras set up in the park have not been a deterrent to vandalism. There are several surveillance cameras at the park that have curbed some crime, but it still occurs, Arand said. There were 11 cameras installed at the park in 2007.

"I know it hurts you to see vandalism in the park," Mayor Mike Livengood said to Arand. "It hurts all of us. We are proud of our parks."