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Vandalism closes fields as township pursues arrest; Panhandle Trail gets $130,000 grant
Summary
Township staff reported extensive vandalism to park turf that will keep fields closed for weeks while crews repair surfaces; police and staff say an arrest is expected. Separately, the township received a $130,000 grant to pave its segment of the Panhandle Trail.
Township officials reported that deliberate vandalism to turf at Fairview Park and other playing surfaces forced temporary closures and relocations of scheduled use. Staff said cameras and a targeted operation led to identification of the suspect and that an arrest is expected soon.
Paula Willis, Parks and Recreation, said the lacrosse field damage will keep that field out of service for roughly a month or longer while repairs and grass establishment are completed; the township arranged alternate field access with the Hunting Ridge HOA and the school district to minimize disruption to programs.
Township staff said the police department assisted by reviewing camera footage and that improvements to camera capabilities (including night-time license-plate capture) are being considered to reduce repeat incidents. In response to recurring vehicle access to turf, officials said physical barriers such as boulders, bollards or chains will be evaluated alongside camera upgrades.
Separately, staff announced a grant award of $130,000 to pave the township’s section of the Panhandle Trail. The manager said the grant will fund paving the local segment and that staff will coordinate trail-related work with other priority projects identified in the township’s active-transportation implementation plan.
The parks report also noted that NPDES permitting is in process for field projects and that construction is expected to start after regulatory clearance; turf establishment means newly repaired fields may not be playable until late summer.
