LONGVIEW, Texas (KLTV) – Vandalism hit another Longview park, forcing the city to undertake cleanup efforts once more.
The pickleball courts at Guthrie Park have recently been refurbished with new benches, tables, and landscaping. Surprisingly, they also feature fresh paint and epoxy stains, as well as a small chip in the concrete surface.
The courts have been freshly painted and resurfaced not long ago. However, they require similar work once more. The projected expense for these repairs is approximately $9,000.
“Really, it can be so discouraging. Every time we make progress, we seem to slip backward twice as much. We hop back on the horse and attempt to tackle it once more,” stated Dustin Eberhart, who serves as the president of the Longview Pickleball Club.
“It’s not only about damaging a public resource we all rely on; they’re also undermining the efforts of those passionate individuals who have worked tirelessly to maintain this facility at such high standards,” said Public Information Officer Richard Yeakley from the City of Longview.
The court remains safe for playing.
The playground equipment at Broughton Park was taken down as well because of vandalism in April.
In 2023, yet another deliberate act of arson damaged the slides at Broughton Park, with repairs costing approximately $4,500.
“You have individuals who choose to spend their time making things worse for everyone else instead of contributing positively. It’s quite unfortunate,” remarked Yeakley.
Yeakley indicates that acts of vandalism appear to rise during the summertime.
“People find themselves with extra free time. Additionally, the high temperatures can make individuals irritable, leading those who are both idle and angry to seek an outlet for their frustration, which occasionally manifests as vandalism,” clarified Yeakley.
“If you have affection for your city, show respect for it and ensure everyone else does too,” stated Eberhart.
In Texas, vandalism is classified as criminal mischief. This offense has the potential to result in a felony charge.
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