Officials Respond to Vandalism at Lester Square Park in Vincennes

VINCENNES, Ind. (We Are Knox County) - Recent vandalism at a Vincennes park has officials frustrated and parts of the park temporarily off-limits.

Vincennes Parks and Recreation Superintendent J.R. Fields confirmed to WAKC News Now that the restrooms are closed and picnic tables have been removed from Lester Square Park due to vandalism.

Fields told WAKC News Now the damage happened on Saturday.

“There’s writing all over the wall in the women’s bathroom, and the door to the breaker box in the men’s bathroom is damaged,” Fields said.

Lewd images were also sprayed on the outside of the building, and the soffit and gutters that were installed just last summer have been damaged.

Fields told WAKC News Now that vandalism at the park has been an ongoing problem and the cost of repairs continues to add up.

Fields said that earlier this summer, someone cut down a basketball net, set it on fire, and damaged a bathroom sink.

“We keep putting money after money into repairs, and we’re running out of money,” Fields told WAKC News Now.

Fields said he believes older kids or teenagers who have been hanging out at the park are behind the vandalism.

“I know it’s not the people coming to the park to skateboard,” he said.

Cameras are in place at the skate park, but not near the basketball court or behind the restroom building, where Fields says the picnic tables were being moved.

Fields told WAKC News Now those responsible will be prosecuted.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Vincennes Police Department at 812-882-1630.

At this time, Fields said there is no timeline for cleaning up or repairing the damage.