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Thursday, August 28, 2008
RIVERSIDE — Mad River Youth Soccer League is having a tough year — but not necessarily in competition.
President Dan Teaford said vandalism at Rohrer Park, where teams practice and play, is ruining the season for more than 200 players, ages 4-13.
"There's always been some minor problems like having goals tipped over, but it's never been this destructive in the 12 years I've been involved," Teaford said.
In the spring, goals were stolen and the nets cut off and wrapped around stop signs. In July, the field was vandalized again. Cars drive onto the fields, doing doughnuts and tearing up grass.
Teaford said there has been $3,000 in damage to equipment. A $200 reward for information leading to an arrest got no takers.
"Nobody sees or hears anything out there," he said. "Somehow, the public needs to become more aware of this."
Teaford said the league's insurance company is denying the claim because the park's gates aren't locked. Fundraisers don't raise much and sponsors are hitting hard times due to the economy.
The league is a private entity that plays in a city park. Teaford would like to see the gates locked to at least keep vehicles out, but Riverside City Manager Bryan Chodkowski said that won't keep out kids on foot, and the police use the park as a substation.
"These are very unfortunate incidents and we are aware that vandalism in general is a growing problem," he said. "We'll be looking to our new police chief to lead the way on this."
Chodkowski said the city had hoped to move the soccer fields to city-owned property on Glendean Avenue, but it's a $2 million project unless volunteers help clear the property — which so far hasn't happened.
The league canceled a weekend tournament after the most recent loss, which left Way of the Cross Church, which runs the concession stand, in a bind bcause it stocked up for the tournament.
Teaford said they will try to continue fall play. They will take the nets up and down after practice and games. But for now, he is pleading with the neighborhood to report anything unusual they see or hear in the park to police.
"It would help if people would step up," he said. "The Jaycees made a donation, which I deeply appreciate, but we could use some more help. What I'm looking at is 100 or more kids who don't get to play because some idiots want to tear things up.
"If anybody sees or knows anything about who's doing this, please, call the police so we can do something about it."
