Squatters had long been partying on a plot in Waynesville.
Without clear title, the town was powerless to arrest squatters on the property for trespassing. It had become a party headquarters for a rough crowd known for its run-ins with the law — much to the chagrin of surrounding neighbors. Police have responded to calls to Chestnut Park more than 165 times in the past 18 months alone, according to police dispatch records.
Superficially, it seems the town fathers could have arrested the hanger-outers for some of the other 165 problems. Regardless, leadership succeeded in tracking down the long-lost heir, who consented to gift the park to them.
“Now that we have clear ownership of the park we can include it in our recreation master plan as a public amenity. It will improve the community. It is really a great story,” [Mayor Gavin] Brown said.
