Ecology Garden vandalized

The Ecology Garden in Rotary Centennial Park has been vandalized. Evidence suggests that the damage was done in an attempt to steal one of the arbors.

The vandals attempted to dig around the poles in an attempt to pull the structure out of the ground. The Cramahe Horticultural Society cemented the poles in when they installed the arbor but were unable to go as deeply as they would like due to subsoil restriction.

Society members were at the park on Saturday getting it ready for the winter. When they returned on Sunday the damage was observed and reported. Two other arbors, benches and decorative items were not touched. The arbor in question was at a low point in the garden, somewhat out of sight. It is difficult to establish whether there were vehicles involved. Ruts in the vicinity could have been created by trucks parked there for the construction of the new bridge which will soon span Colborne Creek.

Community Services Director Dan O'Brien was contacted by the horticultural society and he has taken action.

The director has approached a security firm to get quotes on security cameras.

In a phone interview this morning, Mr. O'Brien noted that he has been receiving complaints about vandalism from various stakeholders who use township facilities. He is asking the security company to provide him with a quote on cameras for all public locations. He hopes the cameras will feed directly back to a central location. Part of the requirement is that the cameras produce photos which the police can use as evidence. He knows the system won't be cheap. He is looking at including the cost in his 2010 budget.

Short of patrolling the parks,which he admits isn't feasible, this is the best option available. He will be asking the Police Services Board for its assistance too.

He admits that now, no one ever sees the vandals. They come in and do $500 to $1,000 damage - not enough to claim on insurance, but enough to "nickel and dime" the township to death.

The OPP has filed a report and is asking for assistance in the matter.