News
Sports Park Soccer Field Under Repair After Damage
10.15.24
A damaged soccer field at Riverway Sports Park will not keep the community and soccer fans from their game, thanks to City of Visalia Parks staff.
Crews have been working through the day to repair damage done to Riverway Sports Park Soccer Field #6, after a truck illegally drove through the field, leaving circles of ruts and scarred turf.
Just before 1 a.m., this morning, Visalia Police Department officers received reports of a truck driving on the soccer fields at Riverway Sports Park.
"Officers found the truck leaving the park and initiated a traffic stop, contacting 18-year-old Marcos Fernandez Martinez and 19-year-old Pedro Huerta," shared Elizabeth Jones, City of Visalia Public Safety Police & Fire Public Information Officer. "Officers discovered extensive damage to the grass on one of the soccer fields, as well as damaged sprinklers."
VPD immediately contacted the City's Parks & Urban Forestry Division, who quickyl arrived to assess the scene.
"City staff found that roughly 60% of Soccer Field 6 had damage from a vehicle illegally driving on the Field and leaving circular, skid-mark patterns embedded in the turf," states Alvin Dias, City of Visalia Parks & Urban Forestry Manager.
Parks staff estimate that the cost for the damage caused by the vandalism is $1,000 to $1,500 for maintenance staff to grade, apply new topsoil, and compact the area.
A damaged soccer field at Riverway Sports Park will not keep the community and soccer fans from their game, thanks to City of Visalia Parks staff.
Crews have been working through the day to repair damage done to Riverway Sports Park Soccer Field #6, after a truck illegally drove through the field, leaving circles of ruts and scarred turf.
Just before 1 a.m., this morning, Visalia Police Department officers received reports of a truck driving on the soccer fields at Riverway Sports Park.
"Officers found the truck leaving the park and initiated a traffic stop, contacting 18-year-old Marcos Fernandez Martinez and 19-year-old Pedro Huerta," shared Elizabeth Jones, City of Visalia Public Safety Police & Fire Public Information Officer. "Officers discovered extensive damage to the grass on one of the soccer fields, as well as damaged sprinklers."
VPD immediately contacted the City's Parks & Urban Forestry Division, who quickyl arrived to assess the scene.
"City staff found that roughly 60% of Soccer Field 6 had damage from a vehicle illegally driving on the Field and leaving circular, skid-mark patterns embedded in the turf," states Alvin Dias, City of Visalia Parks & Urban Forestry Manager.
Parks staff estimate that the cost for the damage caused by the vandalism is $1,000 to $1,500 for maintenance staff to grade, apply new topsoil, and compact the area.
"Fortunately, there will be no disruption to the community, or delayed games due to the vandalism, as games scheduled for today, Tuesday, 10/15, have been moved to other, open, soccer fields within Riverway Sports Park," added Dias. "Field 6 will be open and ready for play by tomorrow, Wednesday, 10/16, but the visual effects of the damage will take some time to covered as the turf regenerates."