Quincy Park Board President Philpot to vandals: “Go read a book”

July 10, 2025 | By Annie C. Reller, MRN Journalist

Park Board President Mark Philpot has a message for those who are vandalizing town property: “Whoever’s doing it, stop it… Just stop. Find something else to do. Go read a book.”

Recent vandalism included the use of a firework to flow up a steel trash can, messing with a Porta Potty, and destroying golf course water dispensers. “The total damage for all those incidents comes to [around] $4,000,” said Philpot.

He added that Quincy Police Department will be contacted, and that “Criminal Damage to Property of that level is a Class 4 Felony. I will lose no sleep at night and the district presses charges if anybody is found to be an individual that’s damaging those goods.”

Rome Frericks, the Executive Director of the Park Board, said that vandalism in Quincy “happens every day.”

All the Unfinished and New Business at the meeting was approved unanimously. This includes a bid for South Park Apron, Sidewalk and Step Replacement, the extended hours of Lincoln Park on July 18^th and 19^th for the Gem City Concert Series, and the Revision of the Operation Procedures to bar district employees, their families, and commissioners from bidding on certain sale items.

David Grimm, who was sworn in to the Park Board in April, was actively engaged and knowledgeable about the issues discussed at the meeting. As a recent addition to the Board, it is clear he is doing his homework and coming to the meetings prepared on the issues to be discussed.

In other news, the Park Board:

Will investigate the possibility of adding drinking water options along the golf course
Will apply for grants for a new Splash Pad
Received a donation from Friends of the Trails to begin the Rail Abandonment or Discontinuous of Transportation Services Proceedings to BNSF for the Missing Easement along Bonansinga Drive
Approved the Quincy Park District 2025-2026 Goals and Objectives 2^nd Quarter Status Update
Approved with Executive Session Minutes Bi-Annual Review with a recommendation to dispose of audio sessions older than 18 months