MOUNT VERNON — Foundation Park is a popular place for area residents to fish, hike and enjoy some of the natural beauty Mount Vernon has to offer. But alleged complaints of open drinking and fire pits, even some suspected drug dealing, raise concerns about the safety and family-friendly atmosphere of the park.
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The Knox County Sheriff’s Office and the Mount Vernon Police Department both routinely patrol the area, according to Sgt. Al Dexter of the KCSO.
“We really haven’t heard of any problems recently,” said Dexter. “The worse thing I’ve seen is having to run kids out of the water, because there is no swimming allowed.”
“We’re not aware of anything out of the ordinary lately,” said Wade Grogg, records clerk for the MVPD, adding there was only one recent incidence where individuals were asked to dump out their alcohol.
Visiting Foundation Park recently to do some fishing were Jeremy Hill, Kayla Kent and Kyler Kent.
“We haven’t seen any problems at all,” said Kayla Kent. “We’ve been here a few times fishing this year, and everything seems to be fine.”
Anyone visiting Foundation Park, or any other park in the Mount Vernon area, who experiences a problem or has a concern is asked to contact the MVPD.
