Honea Path, SC – A playground at the Anderson Civic Center has become the center of community concern after a parent reported that their child was chased, cornered, and struck with a shovel by another child during a recent visit.
The parent says this marks the second such incident in less than two weeks and is calling on other families to keep a closer eye on their children while at the park.
According to the original post shared in a local community group, the child was pursued by two other children and hit with a shovel while trying to get away.
The parent questioned why a shovel was even present at a playground without a sand area, and expressed frustration that incidents like this keep happening without enough supervision from other parents nearby.
Community Members Share Similar Experiences
The post drew a wave of responses from other parents and caregivers who described their own encounters with unsupervised or rough play at the same park.
Several commenters said the issue goes beyond one incident and reflects a broader pattern at the playground.
Desiree Stanton commented that being hit with an object like a shovel could be considered assault and said parents and law enforcement should be informed.
Jay Parker responded that police typically cannot take action against children under the age of ten, adding that the responsibility falls on the parents instead.
Leesa Mitchell, identified as a group moderator, shared that her autistic son was knocked down by two older children running through the play area during a recent visit.
She said the children did not appear to be paying attention and that incidents like these are not uncommon for her family at that location. Joy N Brickman responded that older children should be directed to a separate play area to prevent situations like this.
Other parents described similar issues. GreenMouse3440 said an older child threw mulch at their son’s face during a playdate.
Candi Gleason said she had observed several parents not closely watching their children during a recent visit, while younger kids ran through the area unsupervised.
TaupeNarwhal4496, a parent of two young children, including one with nonverbal autism, said repeated incidents led their family to stop visiting the park altogether.
Calls for Supervision and Safety Measures
Several commenters urged stronger action, ranging from increased parental supervision to formal incident reports.
Lois Cook simply suggested calling the police, while Ronnie Jennings questioned whether that would be effective given response times for situations involving children playing.
Tanya Robinson said parents need to take more responsibility for their children’s behavior at the park, and Cindy Young said repeated issues should result in consequences for the parents involved.
Some responses focused on prevention rather than enforcement. Fran Sweeney recommended self-defense lessons for children, while Carol Ann Guy, identified as a local martial arts instructor, offered information about enrollment for families interested in self-defense training.
As of now, no official statement from the Anderson Civic Center or local authorities has been issued regarding the playground incidents.
Parents in the community continue to share concerns and are encouraging increased vigilance for families visiting the park.
