Vandalism was up at City of Delta parks last year.
According to a report by the parks, recreation and culture department, in 2020 park use is estimated to have increased by 40 per cent, while vandalism increased by approximately 20 per cent from the year prior.
Ladner had 111 separate incidents which cost the city $27,806, North Delta had 150 incidents which caused $34,797 in damage, while Tsawwassen had 79 incidents which caused $14,011 in damage.
There were numerous types of incidents with acts of graffiti leading the way at 157, followed by washroom damage at 55 incidents and illegal dumping at 41 incidents.
Fifty per cent of vandalism incidents occurred in nine park sites - Annieville Park, Brandrith Park, Delview Park, Dennison Park, Hawthorne Park, Mackie Park, Memorial Park, North Delta Community Park and Watershed Park.
The report notes that four park sites in late 2019 - Annacis Canal Park, Annieville Park, North Delta Community Park, and Sunbury Park - experienced significant theft of brass plaques.
Staff replaced the plaques with aluminum plaques, with the total value of those four thefts at $18,559.
Several strategies have been employed in recent years by the City of Delta to assist with managing vandalism, including, among other things, automated washroom locking systems, vegetation removal, lighting and videos at select locations.
Throughout the summer months and into early fall, additional park ambassadors were dispatched throughout Delta to help educate park users on COVID-19 rules and regulations, as well, to provide additional eyes and ears, the report adds.
