Hillsborough police are seeking information about vandalism that occurred at a Cates Creek Park over the weekend.

According to the town, the vandalism occurred at the park sometime between Friday night and Saturday morning, November 13 and 14. Damage included destruction of a hand sanitizer station, child changing station and toilet paper container. Restrooms at Cates Creek Park are closed until further notice to allow for repairs.

Police have estimated damage of the hand sanitizer station and restroom facilities to be about $1,000 dollars.

Hillsborough Mayor Jenn Weaver said this destruction of town property is both sad and disappointing – especially given the current community strife spurred on by the pandemic.

“There’s a lot of struggle right now,” Weaver said. “So it’s the kind of thing when this happens that makes you say ‘why – why would anyone do such a thing.’”

The vandalism also included the destruction of books and a little library, which was built and installed by an Eagle Scout last fall. The Town of Hillsborough tweeted out a picture of what the library looked like prior to its destruction.

Weaver said while restroom damages can be fixed, the handmade library that was destroyed is irreplaceable.

“It’s a bummer,” Weaver said. “That thousand dollars that’s going to go to fix all of those things and that hard work that the Eagle Scout can’t get back – that could have gone to so many other little projects that we’re in need of but had to put off because of our budget restriction.”

Hillsborough Public Space Manager Stephanie Trueblood said she is also particularly disappointed that the public lending library was vandalized.

“I’m saddened by the vandalism especially as the little library was destroyed,” Trueblood said. “The little library was hand built, and I’m not sure if we will be able to replace it.”

Anyone with information about the vandalism is asked to contact Officer Andree Cafiero or Sgt. Nicholas Chelenza by phone at 919-296-9523 or by email at andree.cafiero@hillsboroughnc.gov or nick.chelenza@hillsboroughnc.gov.

Lead photo via Town of Hillsborough.

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