Park Rangers, Park Maintenance Staff, and City Security have been dealing with vandalism at multiple parks across Reno.
These vandalisms in the past week include structure damage, graffiti, and fire damage to a park bathroom.
On January 1, surveillance video at Oxbow Nature Study Area captured a car ramming into the closed access gate at the entrance. According to city officials, the damage included the frame of the gate being bent and the lock damaged.
On the same day, park staff noticed the bathrooms at Double Diamond Park were broken into. City officials say the doors were damaged and the locks were forced open.
City officials said, "The locks were forced open and taped to prevent them relocking, the automatic closing mechanism and hinges were removed, and propane heaters were found inside the unit."
The staff says they believe the bathroom was being used for temporary shelter. Staff secured the bathroom doors to prevent immediate access and are working to prevent this type of vandalism in the future.
On January 2, security discovered a broken clothes donation box at Horseman's Park. Officials say the contents of the box appeared to have been stolen by people in a brown Chevy Blazer. The security was unable to get a license plate number because they sped away.
According to city officials, the staff will contact the donation center to further address the damage.
On Saturday January 3, park rangers were conducting a routine inspection of a restroom at the playground at Teglia Paradise Park. City officials say park rangers found one of the two interior stalls severely burned by a fire.
"The fire appeared to have started on the baby changing station, which is a complete loss, and flames and smoke caused damage throughout the unit," city officials said.
The rest of the bathroom was unharmed; however, staff are going to have to clean and decontaminate the bathroom.
At Barbara Bennett Park, staff found spray paint graffiti on the unpainted back side of the basketball court mural wall on January 5. City officials say the graffiti was painted over and a police report was filed.
Graffiti was also found at Idlewild Park on January 5. Park staff found spray paint graffiti on the monument park sign near the east entrance, according to city officials. A police report was also filed for this, and the graffiti was painted over.
City officials say these vandalisms contributed to significant labor and materials costs.
