Image Source: Ross DiMattei
Key Takeaways
- A sports field at Ridley Municipal Park in Delaware County has been shut down due to damage caused by off-road vehicles
- The damage is estimated to be between $5,000 to $10,000 and has left the field unsafe and unplayable
- Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying the individuals responsible for the damage
- The repair process will take time and may disrupt the upcoming sports season
- The suspects could face charges including trespassing and criminal mischief
Introduction to the Incident
A sports field at Ridley Municipal Park in Delaware County has been shut down after police say off-road vehicles tore up the grass following a mid-December snowstorm. According to Sgt. Mark McKinney of the Ridley Township Police Department, "The issue that we’re having is the field is unplayable now." The damage is estimated to be between $5,000 to $10,000 and has left the field in a state that is not suitable for play. As McKinney noted, "It’s not just something that you can just go out there and patch right away. It’s something that’s going to take time."
The Cause of the Damage
Police believe that the damage happened when the suspects were "joy riding" on the field after snowfall, performing donuts that dug deep grooves into the ground. As McKinney explained, "We believe they were joy riding. They did some donuts in the grass, and it dug up some big ruts into the grass, which causes a problem for when the kids have to go back out on the field in the spring." The suspects were seen on surveillance video riding ATVs and a dune buggy through Ridley Township streets, and investigators are asking for the public’s help in identifying them.
The Impact on the Community
The damage to the field has significant implications for the local community, particularly for the children who use the field for sports. As McKinney noted, "You can’t have the kids on there while the grass is growing or the grass won’t grow. So it’s set up quite a bit of a dilemma for us." The field is the primary game field for Ridley Youth Lacrosse, and the damage has left the team without a safe place to play. Coach Matt Flynn expressed his frustration, saying, "It’s more disappointment because we work so hard to get that field into good shape, and now we just have to start again and do more work, and then find other fields to play on during the season."
The Repair Process
The repair process will involve laying new soil, rolling the field, and growing new grass. As McKinney noted, "It’s something that’s going to take time." The timeline for the repair is uncertain, but it is clear that it will take several weeks or even months to complete. In the meantime, the field will remain closed, and the team will have to find alternative fields to play on. As Flynn said, "Right now, the field would be unplayable because any kid would turn their ankle in the ruts." The situation is particularly challenging because the sports season is scheduled to begin in less than two months.
The Investigation
Police are urging anyone who recognizes the individuals seen in the surveillance footage to contact Ridley Township police detectives. The suspects could face charges including trespassing and criminal mischief. As McKinney noted, "We’re asking for the public’s help in identifying these individuals." The investigation is ongoing, and police are working to gather more information and evidence. In the meantime, the community is left to deal with the consequences of the damage, and the team is left to find alternative arrangements for their games.
Conclusion
The damage to the sports field at Ridley Municipal Park is a significant blow to the local community, particularly for the children who use the field for sports. The repair process will take time, and the field will remain closed until it is safe for play. Police are urging anyone with information to come forward, and the suspects could face charges including trespassing and criminal mischief. As McKinney noted, "It’s something that’s going to take time." The community will have to come together to support the team and find alternative arrangements for their games. As Flynn said, "It’s more disappointment because we work so hard to get that field into good shape, and now we just have to start again and do more work, and then find other fields to play on during the season."
https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/atv-ridley-municipal-park-field-vandalized/