North Union supervisors begin cleanup after ballfield complex targeted by vandal
Amy Fauth|Herald-Standard
North Union Township supervisors started cleaning up the vandalized Mount Braddock Ballfield complex on Monday, a process that may take a while to complete.
“There’s a lot of damage here,” said Supervisor Curtis Matthews, as he surveyed the deep tire tracks embedded in the mud around the baseball field.
The driver of a Jeep tore through the grounds of the complex on Saturday. Matthews found out around 3 a.m. when someone called to tell him that the vehicle got stuck there, and someone with a truck tried – unsuccessfully — to pull it out.
To repair the damage, Matthews said, supervisors will have to level out all the tire tracks and divots, stabilize or replace the fence around the ballfield, and potentially fix a French drain. He estimated it would cost several thousand dollars.
If there was a silver lining, it was that the Jeep was unable to access the actual ballfield and it remains intact, Matthews said. Still, he found it difficult to understand why anyone would damage the community space.
“What thrill does (someone) get out of this?” asked Matthews.
A 20-year supervisor, Matthews said the ballfield complex, which is about 16-17 years old, is one of the township’s greatest assets. This incident is the first time since it was built there’s been vandalism at the complex.
Officials don’t think the ballfield was the Jeep driver’s only target. Township personnel were at the field Friday afternoon to prepare the pavilion for a birthday party, when they believe the same vehicle tore up grass beside the nearby post office and the veteran’s honor roll on Mount Braddock Road. They followed the Jeep, but were unable to locate it. Other properties in the neighborhood were also torn up in the same manner as the field.
State police wanted to tow the vehicle over the weekend, but, hoping to avoid additional damage, supervisors asked them to hold off until Monday when the ground had time to dry.
While the Jeep was being towed out, relatives of the driver – believed to be a juvenile – arrived with a key to the vehicle, which made it easier to remove.
Although he understands that kids make mistakes, Matthews said he hopes they “throw the book” at the driver.
State police are continuing to investigate.