Flossmoor’s Leavitt Park was vandalized twice this month, leaving the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District facing several thousand dollars in repairs, officials said.
Bob Birgel, public relations manager for the Park District, said two park signs and a memorial tree were damaged within the past two weeks. He said the signs are made of pressure-treated wood designed to withstand the elements.
While he didn’t have an exact cost, Birgel estimated the signs are worth several thousand dollars to the park district.
The bottom half of one sign was broken off and the other was kicked down, splitting it in half, according to Birgel. As of Tuesday, both damaged signs had been removed, leaving only the posts behind. To his knowledge, Birgel said no other park structures were vandalized.
The park, at 1010 Leavitt Ave., is near Parker Junior High School and features a garden, gazebo, playground, sculpture park, ballfield and playfield.
Birgel said the damaged tree is part of the Park District’s memorial program, where individuals purchase a tree or park bench with the option of adding a personalized plaque to honor a loved one who has died. He said he believes this tree was for a student from Homewood-Flossmoor High School who died.
“They pulled off branches from the tree,” he said. “I’m not sure if it needs to be totally replaced or if it’s salvageable.”
Birgel said he doesn’t know who is responsible for the vandalism but said parks often face such issues. He also said recent break-ins and car thefts in Flossmoor lead him to believe the vandalism may be random.
The Park District posted on Facebook Nov. 21 asking residents to call the Homewood or Flossmoor police if they witness vandalism at the parks.
Birgel said he is not aware of any additional security measures at the park to prevent vandalism, but said the district is “trying to stay vigilant” and will continue to monitor the parks in the coming weeks.
The Park District manages 29 parks within the two communities, according to the district’s website.
The district has an anonymous tip form where vandalism can be reported.
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