Candle Light and Prayer Vigil Service at Three Corner Park Friday Evening
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
By Bill Cleary
(CNBNEWS.NET)-A prayer service will be held on Friday evening, May 20 at Angels Playground, also known as the Three Corner Park, Burlington and Middlesex Street, Gloucester City. A shooting occurred in this area three weeks ago. Andrew Stosny, age 19, a resident of Glendora was shot in the upper chest. He was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment and released. The shooting suspect Robert G. Figueroa, age 19, of Camden was arrested yesterday (May 17) in Camden.
PHOTO: The new playground as it appeared in 2007
Because of the shooting incident and complaints about ongoing fights in this area Reverend Kathyrn Morgan, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church and Girl Scout Leader Helen John came up with the idea of holding the Candle Light and Prayer Virgil. Those interested in attending are to meet at 8 PM at the First Presbyterian Church, corner of Monmouth and Burlington Sts. Participants will walk from the church to the park which is three blocks away.
Troop Leader Helen John said, “Everyone in town is invited to join us, we hope this is a first step to healing and taking back our City. We have a great City and we need to help put it back on the right track. Gloucester City has so much to offer we just need to focus more on the positive and less on the negative. Just remember when you are pointing the finger of blame you have 3 pointing back at you. Lets be part of the solution instead of part of the problem.”
Mrs. John extended an invite to Girl and Boy Scouts (wear your uniforms), Mayor and City Council, School Board members, teachers, firemen, police and all City organizations such as members of the Lions and Rotary Clubs, Sportsman AC, VFW, American Legion etc are also asked to participate.
In an recent interview Police Chief George Berglund said this shooting was an isolated incident that involved people from other communities. “This is not indicative of everyday life in Gloucester City,” Berglund said.
Tuesday Berglund said he along with members of his department will be attending the service Friday night.
Following the shooting neighbors said the park is a gathering place for unruly teens. One neighbor said there are 10 to 15 fights in that location each week.
The Three Corner Park was originally built in the 1980‘s using a $100,000 Green Acres grant. A playground encompassed one corner, a basketball court with four racks took up another corner and on another corner park benches were built. Prior to the park the lots were all vacant. But over time this park wasn't maintained by the city and it deteriorated. Broken down swings, park benches unfit for anyone to sit on, and the rusted sliding boards were unsafe for the kids to use. The park was surrounded by weeds and debris. In 2006 prior to the November election the poor conditions of the park was featured on CNBNews.NET.
A new city administration took over in 2007. Using a $10,000 gift from Katia Williamson, the mother of the three girls who died in the July 4, 2002 fire in Gloucester City the playground was rebuilt. Three of the old basketball racks were removed along with some old park benches.
PHOTO: The year 2007, not long after it was reconstructed vandals started to destroy it.
Brad Jeffries, in a Letter to the Editor dated July 31st, 2007 complained about the individuals who were destroying “Angels Playground”.
An excerpt of Jeffries letter,
“The problem with the new playground is the other kids who use it. I am talking about the teenagers that come after the sun goes down and are there until all hours of the night.I could live with the noise, but the language used and the mess they leave behind are a disgrace.”
To read the entire letter click link Letter to the Editor
As for the house where the shooting occurred, located in the 300 block of Middlesex St. a few steps from the park, the police have labeled it a nuisance. As such both the landlord and the tenants have been cited and will have to appear in municipal court.
PHOTOS: Taken Tuesday May 15, graffiti on the Welcome sign has been covered over with black paint. Black paint also covers the graffiti that was written on playground equipment. Below, a group of kids playing hoops. In the 80's the court held 4 basketball racks, today there is only one in need of repair.
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