CRANBERRY TWP — Vandals caused at least $10,000 in damage over the weekend at Graham Park.

Cranberry Police Sgt. Chuck Mascellino said Monday afternoon that the damage was “extensive” and that the perpetrators threw “numerous items” into a fishing pond.

The vandals stole several American flags as well as flags representing both the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. In addition, there was damage done to several lighting fixtures as well as downspouts on several buildings.

Mascellino said public works crews discovered the damage early Monday morning and that most of the damage had been repaired by the afternoon.

He added that the vandals hit sometime during the weekend, although police aren’t sure exactly when. Police are canvassing nearby businesses along Rochester Road to see if any of them captured footage of suspects entering or leaving the park.

Mascellino said this isn’t the first time vandalism has occurred in the township’s parks, although he said it could be the first instance in Graham Park.

“There’s been vandalism in our parks before,” he said. “But the value was a little higher this time on some of the things damaged because it’s a newer park.”

The park off Rochester Road near the Pennsylvania Turnpike is home to the Dick’s Sporting Goods Sportsplex and the Miracle League of Southwestern Pennsylvania’s baseball field.

Bruce Mazzoni, chairman of the township supervisors, said he was “sick” to hear what had happened at the park.

As a member of the Cranberry Township Community Chest, Mazzoni spearheaded an effort to raise more than $140,000 for the scout memorial in the park.

That memorial included the creation of the fishing pond as well as a monument and several plaques honoring the Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts.

“I think people in Cranberry take personal pride in Graham Park,” Mazzoni said. “Lots of people worked very hard to make that a beautiful park, and then we get jerks in there who want to destroy what businesses and residents here made happen.”

Township manager Jerry Andree said it was “very disappointing” that anyone would damage public property, especially a park that’s used by thousands of residents on a weekly basis.

“It’s sad someone would do this,” he said. “But we’re equally committed to finding them and prosecuting them.”

Anyone with information is urged to call township police at 724-776-5180, Ext. 5.