Vandalism, including racist and homophobic graffiti, at NYS fields

One or more vandals caused significant property damage at Monarch Park's Hangge Fields the night of Friday, May 17, or early the next morning. To make matters worse, minority groups were targeted with racist and homophobic graffiti sprayed on a dugout close to the parking lot.

For over 50 years, the non-profit Niwot Youth Sports has organized youth sports programs year-round for children ages 4-18 in the Niwot-Gunbarrel area. At Monarch Park, the organization uses a total of six ballfields for their baseball and softball programs. Four are leased from Boulder County, while two others are available through easements on private property.

Last week, Glenn Wager, Niwot Youth Sports Field Director, said that the graffiti was quickly painted over before the athletes arrived and walked past the defaced dugout.

Wager's initial estimate of the cost of repairs is roughly $5,200, with the possibility remaining that other issues would be discovered. About half of that total will be used to replace 14 sections of screen. Eighteen bases were also missing from the ballfields. Most bases were recovered from the irrigation pond on the property, but others had to be replaced. The two grills on the property were damaged by spray paint and are unusable. A drag used to maintain the fields is missing. Other structures will need to be repaired and repainted.

All personal property on the site, including the grills, bases and drag, is owned by Niwot Youth Sports. Niwot Youth Sports is obligated under the terms of their lease with Boulder County to maintain the fields, including the fencing and the building, all of which were constructed by Niwot Youth Sports with the approval of Boulder County. It is unclear how much of the cost of the damage can be recovered through insurance.

Wager noted that the nature of the damage is such that those responsible for the vandalism are likely familiar with baseball equipment. The crime is under investigation by the Boulder County Sheriff's Office. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call 303-441-4444.