3 South River Parks Damaged Within Days Of New Equipment Installation

SOUTH RIVER, NJ - Three borough parks were vandalized over the past week after new equipment was installed, South River officials said Thursday.

Authorities are seeking the public's help protecting recreation equipment, according to a joint statement from South River Parks & Recreation, the South River Police Department, and the Borough of South River.

At Sheinfine Park, children were observed climbing and jumping on basketball rims in an apparent attempt to break them, according to the statement. At Varga Park, most of the new soccer goals were found damaged less than a week after they were placed for the borough's recreation soccer program. At Volunteers Park, children were found riding e-bikes on the new playground within a week of its opening.

"These improvements are made for our entire community," officials said. "They require significant time, effort, and taxpayer resources, and intentional damage means those resources must be spent on repairs instead of future improvements."

Officials asked parents and guardians to speak with their children about respecting parks, playgrounds, fields, basketball courts, soccer equipment, and other public facilities.

Residents who witness someone intentionally damaging public property are asked to report it to the South River Police Department using the non-emergency number. Officials said the information could help identify those responsible and hold them accountable.

"We cannot be everywhere at once," the statement said. "Protecting our parks is a community responsibility, and it takes all of us working together."

Officials said they want to continue investing in parks, recreation facilities, and programs for South River children and families, but asked residents to help protect existing improvements.

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