Someone has been purposely setting fires in Powell Lake Township Park and Ron Davis wants residents and park users to be on the look out.
‘Make note of who’s there,? said the director of the Oxford Township Parks and Recreation Department. ‘If they’re carrying a gas can, you know they’re up to something.?
On Saturday, May 6, a fire was set in the park which burned a 7,000-square-foot area of ‘mostly underbrush? overlooking Powell Lake on the park’s south side.
Prior to that, a propane tank was found with a torch hooked up to it. The torch was left lit and adjacent to a park bench in an attempt to burn it.
Beginning in April, three or four small fires, each with a radius of about three feet, were ‘intentionally set? in the park along side and on the asphalt path and on the wooden boardwalk, according to Davis.
As the weather gets warmer and drier, Davis fears one of these fires could get out of control or be set in a place where fire department vehicles can’t reach it.
The fires are part of a whole range of vandalism and theft perpetrated against the parks department every year.
Normally, these crimes cost the department about $20,000 to $25,000 annually, but Davis said this year’s total’s is already close to $10,000 and it’s only May.
‘It’s getting pretty disheartening. I’m getting really upset with it,? Davis said.
He likened it to working on your house, but never getting anywhere. ‘You get a step ahead and before you know it, you’re taking two steps back.?
Recently, a 24-inch-by-24-inch stone marker at the point where the Powell Lake and Polly Ann trails intersect was smashed to bits.
‘Evidently, they just threw a rock at it enough times until it shattered,? said Davis, noting the cost to replace the marker is $300 while the department’s insurance deductible is $500. ‘We’re in a no-win situation.?
Last week, two 4-foot-by-8-foot plywood signs at Powell Lake Park were destroyed. Davis said each sign cost $642.
Other vandalism this year includes a spray-painted slide at Seymour Lake Park and ‘busted up? picnic tables at Stony Lake Park.
In January, a utility trailer containing some equipment was stolen from department’s maintance yard at Seymour Lake Park. Fortunately, insurance replaced it.
‘You’re trying to provide this service and you’ve got a couple people that are just ruining it for everybody,? Davis said. ‘You can’t have anything nice nowadays. It’s sad.?
Davis is imploring residents and park users alike to be on the look out for suspicious behavior. ‘Be aware of your surroundings when you’re out there,? he said. ‘Take a look at who’s there, what cars are there.?
‘We’ve got some guy out there (at Seymour Lake Park) who every week drops off his grass clippings in the back parking lot and leaves. Someone’s got to be seeing these people.?
Davis believes most of the vandalism is being perpetrated by local youth.
‘Make note of who you pass especially if they’re kids,? he advised. ‘Parents, if you think your kids are out doing something wrong, ask them about it. All we need is one kid to rat on the others and we got them.?
If you see anything suspicious, please report it to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department or Parks and Rec. at (248) 628-7120.