Vandals scar city's new park

Bicycle riders have carved ruts in the newly seeded grass at Baker City's Central Park.

By TERRI HARBER
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Baker City’s new Central Park has attracted plenty of visitors looking for a little outdoor fun or relaxation since it opened several weeks ago.

But a handful of those people have been having fun at the expense of taxpayers.

“We’ve already has several incidents of vandalism,” said Mike Kee, city manager.

Vandals have scrawled on picnic tables with felt markers.

Bicycle riders have pedaled across the newly seeded grass, tearing up the tender vegetation and carving ruts in the soft ground.

Both acts are considered third-degree criminal mischief, according to Oregon law.

Third-degree criminal mischief applies to situations with “probable cause present to believe that you acted with intent to cause someone substantial inconvenience and tampered or interfered with someone else’s property,” according to Oregon Revised Statutes.

Penalties can include as much as 30 days in jail and a $1,250 fine.

The goal isn’t to penalize someone who loses control of a bicycle and inadvertently rolls off of one of the paths in the park, Police Chief Wyn Lohner said.

“Spinning, intentionally trying to tear the grass up,” he said. “That’s vandalism.”

Higher damage within this category of offense could result in punishment by up to a year in jail and a fine of $6,250.

“We’re exercising a few options to monitor the park more closely,” Lohner said.

Expect more periodic surveillance, he said.

And Kee asks residents to keep an eye out for vandals and suspicious activity.

If you see someone doing something they shouldn’t, “call the police,” he said.

While much of the writing on the tables partially washed off, damaged to the grass is more difficult to repair.

The tender new grass covering the ground at Central Park is especially vulnerable to rough treatment.

“New grass is more sensitive,” said Rob Palmer, owner of Grass Growers Inc. Palmer’s company hydroseeded the park for the city. “It needs watering more frequently. The ground is so soft... compaction is bad anytime.”

The cost to construct and outfit the park is expected to reach $320,000. And regular maintenance of park greenery will be more than $10,000 annually, according to the city’s public works department.