Vandalism damages playgrounds at Dickman Town Center and May Park; cleanup costs total about $3,400

Board members and staff at the Anderson City Parks Board meeting on Nov. 4 discussed a series of vandalism incidents that damaged play areas at Dickman Town Center and May Park, and the cleanup costs that followed.

Charles, a staff member who described the incidents to the board, said crews found spray‑paint graffiti on playground equipment at Dickman, and that one bench had been set on fire. "It took almost a week to rectify that situation," he said, and reported the cleanup cost for that Dickman incident at about $1,200. He said the work required chemical cleaners and included labor and benefits in the total.

Staff also detailed a heavier incident at May Park, where large amounts of black paint were applied to playground modules, shelters and concrete. Charles said materials and labor for the May Park work put the combined cleanup total in the "$3,400 range" when including staff time.

Police have reviewed camera footage, but staff told the board that investigators have not yet identified suspects. "Officer Gherkey is the one handling that case," Charles said; staff added the case remains open.

Several board members raised a separate concern about how incidents are communicated. One member asked that staff email board members rather than publicize the incidents at meetings so that publicity does not encourage copycat vandalism; staff agreed to send explanatory materials and include details in the meeting minutes.

The vandalism prompted board members to praise the parks crew for the cleanup speed and to ask police for continued follow-up. No formal action — such as a vote to allocate additional funds — was taken at the meeting; staff said they would provide additional cost details as they come in.

The police investigation is ongoing; the board asked staff to keep members updated by email and in future minutes.