Pioneer Park devastated; Mooresville Metropolitan Police Department investigates

MOORESVILLE, Indiana – Mooresville Police and Park District personnel are asking the public for help in identifying who is responsible for thousands of dollars in damage to the Pioneer Park entrance sign.

Although only a few letters are missing from the sign, the park district says it could cost more than $11,000 to repair. The sign likely won’t be ready in time for July 4, when up to 6,000 people are expected to celebrate the holiday there.

“It was hard to hear that they decided to deface the front entrance of our main park,” said Philip Cornelius, superintendent and director of Mooresville Parks & Recreation.

Cornelius says the expensive lettering and electronic sign were only installed in February.

“These are custom-made and they’re made of thicker polymetal to actually prevent the kind of vandalism we’re seeing today,” Cornelius said. “Looks like we’re going to have to use a little more force on the next episode.”

Pioneer Park has been vandalized in the past, with the extent of the damage usually limited to words scrawled on benches. But recently the park has been the victim of serious property damage.

“The men’s restroom in front of our park has been vandalized six times in the last two and a half weeks,” Cornelius said.

Cornelius added that vandals have repeatedly ripped off bathroom stall doors and that repair costs are approaching several thousand more dollars.

“I would hope that an adult would not do something like this,” said Mooresville Police Chief Kerry Buckner. “So I assume these are minors. But I have been surprised before.”

Buckner says they will search the area and check nearby security cameras in hopes of putting an end to the destruction.

“In a city our size with a limited budget, we try to do the best we can,” Buckner said. “This park is there for the people who live in and around Mooresville to enjoy. For someone to just destroy it for no reason is disgusting to me.”

“To anyone who does this, we would love for you to come to the park,” Cornelius added. “Just enjoy the park. Make sure you leave it the way you found it.”

Police ask anyone with information about the vandalism to call the MMPD at (317) 831-3434 or Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at (317) 262-8477.