Upper Prov. Park Vandals Leave $10K In Damage; Soil American Flag

UPPER PROVIDENCE, PA — Vandals at an Upper Providence park left up to $10,000 in damage this week, hurling trash into the woods and damaging an American flag, police said.

The incident occurred at Anderson Farm Park sometime between Feb. 15 and Feb. 20, according to police estimates.

When authorities arrived on the scene, they found trash "strewn about the property," located on the 400 block of Hopwood Road.

The main target of the vandals was the amphitheater, which they scribbled graffiti across. They also ransacked a storage room, destroyed lighting and signage, damaged doors and fire extinguishers, and threw chairs and dog waste into the woods, police said.

Authoriites also discovered an American flag that had apparently been walked on, and was left "soiled and damaged."

Police said their preliminary estimate of the cost of the damage was up to $10,000.

At the scene, the supects left several items: a marijuana "smoking apparatus," a can of Grizzly brand tobacco, and two empty packages of smoke bomb fireworks.They also left visible footwear impressions, which police are in the process of analyzing Thursday.

Detectives said they are looking at local surveillance footage to hopefully gain a lead.

In addition to the amphitheater, Anderson Farm Park also includes facilities for baseball, softball, basketball, dek hockey, and soccer. There is also a walking track and playground.

If you have any information on this case or the suspects, please contact Upper Providence Township Police at (610) 933-7899.