Vandals damage play site
A group of Butler residents are upset about a recent string of vandalism at the Christie Avenue playground.
Jennifer Friel said someone has been spray painting graffiti on the playground equipment.
It's an unwelcomed sight to see after the neighborhood gathered together to renovate the park a few years ago.
“A group of ladies and I got together because the playground was in shambles,” she said. “We got all new equipment with the help of various civic organizations. We made it look very nice.”
The group began working on the playground in 2006. It received thousands of dollars through donations over multiple years and a $10,000 KaBOOM grant for renovations. KaBOOM is a nonprofit national organization that promotes new and renovated playgrounds with its grants.
“We went door-to-door, knocking for donations,” Friel said. “It took quite some time.”
A highlight of the revitalized playground was its shelter.
“The kids helped paint the shelter,” Friel said. “They had their handprints on it. It was very tastefully done.”
Those paintings, which also included a tropical theme and animals, have been covered with spray painted initials.
“It saddens me,” Friel said. “What joy does someone get out of doing that?”
City Councilwoman Kathy Kline said she was made aware of the issue this week.
She said the city parks department thinks it can help scrub away some of the paint from the equipment.
“But some of it may have to be repainted,” she said.
Friel said the playground is a popular gathering spot for the neighborhood children.
“It's used all the time,” she said, adding pickup basketball games occur almost every day. “We want whoever is doing this to stop.”
