Bellingham playground defaced by vandals
BELLINGHAM – The welcome sign at the park and playground at the South Elementary School on Harpin Street reads: “We choose to be kind, respectful and responsible.”
Unfortunately, the vandals responsible for spraypainting playground equipment at the park sometime Saturday night didn’t get that message.
Children and parents arriving at the playground on Sunday discovered vulgar-laced graffiti sprayed with pink paint on several pieces of playground equipment, park benches, and even the welcome sign to the park.
The vandals also stole one of the basketball hoops, tagged a dumpster, broke off tree limbs and dumped trash behind the school.
Bellingham Police say they are investigating the vandalism and are asking anyone with any information about the incident to contact Detective Steve Daigle at (508) 657-2882 or (508) 962-4250.
On Sunday and Monday, work was underway to clean the graffiti in what turned out to be a community-wide effort involving parent and children volunteers, and town officials and departments, including Town Administrator
Denis Fraine and the DPW.
Volunteers were hoping to have the playground back in shape ready in time for Pops on the Playground on Aug. 24, an annual summer-end event for incoming kindergarten students.
News and photos of the vandalism was quickly shared Sunday on social media.
“I hope they catch the punks who did this,” said one poster on Facebook. “This is just disgusting how some people can do this to an elementary school or any property. I know how much hard work went into all the fundraising and it is such a beautiful playground.”
“These pictures brought me to tears,” said another. “I know so many parents came together to build this playground and the kids loved it and enjoyed it this first year. I can't believe someone would do this knowing that kids would see it.