BENTON, Pa. — From charred patches of grass to overflowing garbage, just a few reasons why the Benton Dam Park in Columbia County is now closed to the public.
"We can't control the crowd. The crowd is some days over 300 people, and we have no lifeguard. We have no bathroom facilities," said Bob Brewington, Borough Council Vice President.
This cell phone video shows the crowded park over this past Fourth of July weekend.
It's a scene that has become all too familiar here over the last two years.
Borough Council Member Bob Brewington says people have been bringing in alcohol and parking illegally.
They tried to hire more police officers to solve the problem, but it hasn't worked.
"We just think it's unsafe. They are going over the bank to go to the bathroom. They are washing their hair in the creek. It just got out of hand," said Brewington.
This orange fence now runs down most of the park, keeping everybody out even on a hot summer day.
Albert Pinchotti of Benton is one of the 100 or so residents who sided with borough council at a recent meeting to close the park.
A decision that was tough but needed to be made.
"People have been leaving their trash, playing loud music, actually peeing and defecating on the trail, which is just totally disgusting," said Albert Pinchotti, Benton.
Kathy Montanino and Vincent Lamoreaux of Shickshinny drove down to beat the heat.
But instead they say the park they've been coming to for years was closed.
"I heard they're just leaving the trash and their garbage, which is atrocious because now this is what happens," said Kathy Montanino.
"It's hard to say what the solution could be. People just have to realize they have to clean up after themselves, and they can't do what they do," said Vincent Lamoreaux.
Borough council says they are working on new ordinances to help control the amount of people visiting the park.
While they hope it is temporary, there is no timeline on when the Benton Dam Park will reopen to the public.