A picnic bench for the disabled is smashed.
Urinals are torn down off walls.
Trees are smeared with damaging black paint.
Graffiti is sprayed on the old iron bridge supports.
A spate of vandalism reaching into thousands of dollars has aroused the ire of city officials and park board volunteers.
“We had a picnic bench for the handicapped damaged by individuals jumping from the top of a table onto the bench until the seat collapsed,” said Jim Rebecek, the city’s public works director, said of the bench in Fisherman’s Park. “The cost to replace the bench is $3,350 plus three men’s labor.”
The activities of the culprits seem to be increasing, Rebecek said.
“The bigger items that are damaged happen every other month on average,” Rebecek said. “The graffiti problem is at least once to twice a month. It has been a problem in the past, but for the past year it is happening more often.”
It is time consuming, to say the least, for city workers.
“Removal of graffiti on bridge structures in Fisherman Park will take two men 2-3 hours to paint over graffiti,” Rebecek said. “The cost each time it happens is about $100 to $150.00 for labor and supplies.”

Other damages
Damage has also occurred to other benches and a slide in Fisherman Park.
“Individuals took white paint and poured it over a bench and two trash receptacles,” Rebecek said. “Employees had to remove the bench and receptacles to sandblast and repaint for a cost of $450.”
Damage caused by individuals jumping on a slide in the park required the replacement of the tube section of the slide for a cost $615.
The vandalism extends well back into 2009, Rebecek said.
“We had to replace (part of a) wall that was torn down plus replace one urinal (for the disabled) that was beaten with an object to the point where it would leak,” Rebecek said.
Workers also had to replace one stainless steel toilet because shoving sticks and rocks down the toilet till it broke.
“The cost for material was $2,470.91, and again, does not include two men’s time and labor,” Rebecek added.
Can the public help? Definitely, Rebecek said.
“The public can call the Bastrop Police Department at 321-5550, or any city department and report vandalism, and if the individuals are caught and convicted a reward will be given to the individuals reporting the crime,” Rebecek said. The Public Works Department phone number is 321-3957
Judi Hoover, a member of the city’s parks board, was also dismayed by the spate of vandalism.
“This vandalism makes our town look like it is not a clean, safe place to live and work,” Hoover said. “When we work to raise the funds to add new features in the parks and then have to spend a great deal of money on these type repairs, it is disheartening for all of us. And it’s embarrassing for our entire community.”
Hoover said she’s confidant the culprits will eventually be caught. “I believe we have a few people who violate the curfew in the parks and enjoy this juvenile behavior and continue it because they have not been caught. But we will catch them, it’s a matter of time and money,” Hoover said.