Third park in San Jose vandalized in a week with repairs estimated to cost thousands

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) — For the third time in a week, damage was discovered at a San Jose park.

Parks officials are trying to figure out who is responsible.

The latest damage, discovered at Lone Hill Park, follows similar discoveries at Fowler Creek Park and Mt. Pleasant Park.

A look at each park’s turf shows that a driver or drivers tore through the grass, leaving donuts and large muddy divots.

Neighbors near Lone Hill Park said that they have had constant issues with late-night parties and events at the park, which is only supposed to be used from sunrise to sunset, according to the city. The neighbors say there have been activities, like loud soccer games going on, sometimes through 2 a.m.

MORE: 2 San Jose parks could need more than $10,000 in repairs after vandal ruins grass

These neighbors often pick up cans and other trash left behind.

The city of San Jose’s Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Department said that because of recent rain, the ground at the parks has been soft, making the damage caused by the vehicles coming through even worse. The department is working with San Jose police to find out who is doing this and hold them accountable. It says the cost to repair this at all three parks is taking away from money that was set aside to support other things.

“It’s estimated to be around $10,000,” said Parks Manager Veronica Schulte. “That will impact us significantly, especially, for example, playground repairs, picnic area repairs, sports court repairs, tree maintenance, too. It impacts all of that.”

Schulte said that the damage was so bad at Fowler Creek that there’s also damage to the irrigation. Since the divots at all three parks causes safety hazards, the city is moving fast to fix it, she said.

The plan is to start repairs early next week.

PRNS is asking anyone with information, like doorbell cameras or any other footage, to contact it through the Park Concerns portal online.