Vandalism reported at Kargel Park

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City administrator Clint Gridley informed Woodbury City Council members last week that the city has experienced a “rash” of vandalism in its newest park.

Gridley wrote in his Sept. 24 administrator’s report that vandalism incidents have occurred in Kargel Park, which opened last month at 9301 Tamarack Road.

Over the last two weeks city park staff have responded to several reports of damage to the men’s restroom at the park.

The latest incident included a broken mirror, broken fan cover, plugged toilet and arson, Gridley wrote.

“This is the second such incident at the site,” Gridley informed the council. “A rock also was thrown through a window during the first vandalism event.”

Gridley wrote that park staff is working in conjunction with the Woodbury Public Safety Department to curb the problem.

The city officially opened Kargel Park Sept. 19.

Kargel Park is one of the few Woodbury parks named for an individual or family.

Lucille Kargel, a longtime Woodbury resident, chose to sell her 15-acre property to the city of Woodbury instead of selling the land to developers. It was her desire that a park be created for use by Woodbury residents far into the future, Gridley wrote.

Kargel Park isn’t the only parks facility to experience vandalism in the last few weeks.

The city parks staff also reported that the restrooms at Colby Lake Park were damaged when drains were recently plugged and the water was left running.

Due to the vandalism the restrooms will only be opened on Saturdays through Oct. 11 to accommodate the Woodbury Athletic Association soccer games scheduled at the Colby Lake fields.

Tags: news, woodbury, vandalism, kargel, park, gridley