http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/gardeners-upset-after-vandals-uproot-100-plans-nathanael-greene-close-memorial-park_15593.mp3
Gardeners say they’re disheartened and upset after vandals attacked one of Springfield’s most cherished parks this week. KSMU’s Jennifer Moore has details.
Reporter Standup: "Right now, I’m in the Hosta Garden at the Nathanael Greene-Close Memorial Park. This place is known for its serenity, for its shade, and for its about 500 plants, many of them hostas of different varieties. But a few hours before I arrived, this was the scene of vandalism: someone uprooted about 100 lariopi plants and tossed them into the pool of water right in front of me.”
“I’ve been dealing with this for so many years that I’m not surprised about anything,” says George Deatz, president of Friends of the Garden.
He says even though this isn’t the first case of vandalism at this park, he and others are very upset.
“These plants were purchased with volunteer donations and memberships of Friends of the Garden and other organizations that help take care of it. The other thing is that there’s volunteer labor that goes toward putting these plants in,” he said.
He said with the South Creek Greenway close by, it’s easy for people to come in here in violation of the ordinances, which say the park and the Greenways are all closed at sunset. Despite the cost, he said Friends of the Garden will be installing hidden cameras.
“Cameras cost not only the initial installation, but then you have to do the maintenance on them. And of course, we don’t have power here, which means we have to run batteries. So you have an expense factor with maintaining and installing them,” he said.
And, he's asking the public to be the “eyes and ears” looking out for future acts of vandalism.
“We like everybody to be aware. So if you’re using your public parks and you see that something looks out of place, or that it doesn’t look right, I would rather that it was reported immediately, rather than to assume that what is going on is proper activity,” Deatz said.
Friends of the Garden also has a policy of reporting all acts of vandalism, no matter the value of the damaged property. Deatz says Friends of the Garden is offering a reward through the Crime Stoppers hotline to anyone who can lead them to the vandals.
For KSMU News, I’m Jennifer Moore.
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