Tecumseh’s McAuliffe Park off Lesperance Road was vandalized sometime this weekend by a large vehicle driving through and around the sports fields. Tecumseh joins Windsor, Lakeshore, Essex and Amherstburg in their frustration and disappointment over this damage and urges anyone who knows about these acts of senseless vandalism to come forward.

“My feelings go beyond disappointment,” said Gary McNamara, Mayor of Tecumseh. “I am angry with the total lack of regard for quality public spaces. The damage was done not just to one park, but four of them throughout Essex County. Taxpayers in all of our municipalities should share my outrage as they will have to pay the price for this foolish act of one or more individuals whose sense of entitlement extends to the use of public parks as their personal off-road facilities. We are asking for the public’s help in identifying who may have done this. Someone knows something and they need to come forward.”

McAuliffe Park hosts a number of sporting events including baseball and soccer with McAuliffe Park Sports Group organizing the leagues. The washrooms at the park were recently expanded and the addition of a splash pad is scheduled for construction this spring. Damage to the park was extensive and Tecumseh’s Parks Department is currently assessing the damage and putting a plan in place to fix the fields in time for the spring start of sports activities.  

“The perpetrator or perpetrators of this act spent time in the park,” said Paul Anthony, Director of Parks & Recreation. “Based on the damage to the fields, this vehicle was here for some time tearing up the field. Not to mention that we aren’t an isolated incident. Unfortunately we share a sad situation with our neighbours today. We need to stop this unacceptable practice of destroying fields and catch the person or persons responsible.”

The Town has zero tolerance for vandalism and is working with the Essex County OPP to investigate this incident and bring charges against the individuals responsible. Anyone with information on any of the park incidents is asked to call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or the Windsor Police at 519-258-6111 or, should you wish to remain anonymous, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS). You may also leave an anonymous online message at www.catchcrooks.com. You may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.