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Vandals' joy ride does number of sports fields
(by Joseph Koziol Jr. - December 23, 2009)
Vandals' joy ride does number of sports fields
By JOSEPH KOZIOL JR.
Three years ago, a community came together in Chester Township to build four baseball fields and a soccer field for children.
In a matter of minutes two weeks ago, a few people out for a joy ride turned that dream into a nightmare.
"That 10- or 15-minute joy ride cost several thousand dollars and may have cost the kids a chance to play this spring," said Bart Alcorn, who headed the two-year effort to build the sports complex, known as Clay Eddy Fields.
On Dec. 11, workers at the Eddy Fruit Farm discovered the fields, located off Wilson Mills Road, had been driven over by one or more vehicles.
Early estimates put the damage at $3,000.
Mr. Alcorn said the vehicles made about 20 to 25 "doughnuts" in the field, tearing up the turf and leaving the field's sponsors wondering whether children will be left standing on the sidelines this spring.
"It's something I can't fix myself," Mr. Alcorn said. "I'm not sure we can use the fields this spring."
He said he has equipment that may be used to try to make repairs, but he fears attempting to smooth the fields with his tractor may actually end up causing more damage.
Bernard Mandel, an attorney who donated his services to the creation of the field and serves as secretary for the Clay Eddy Fields Association, said the news was devastating. "This one was bad," he said. "It cost over $100,000 to build these fields. It's just sickening."
The fields were conceived in December 2004 on former orchard land at Eddy's Fruit Farm, 12079 Caves Road. A second access to the fields is off Wilson Mills Road, where it is believed the vandals first drove through to get to the fields.
Mr. Alcorn headed a community-based effort over two years to raise the money to build the fields. Pancake breakfasts, candy sales, clambakes and wine-tasting were among some of the fund-raisers held to get the needed money.
In May 2006, the fields were opened. It now serves as the place for the Metzenbaum Special Olympics and sports teams, such as the West Geauga travel soccer club, the travel team for girl' fast-pitch softball and teams from the West Geauga Recreation Council.
Mr. Alcorn, who serves as president of the Clay Eddy Fields Association, said the community was generous in bringing the needed fields to the community. Now, he said, he fears the economy may make it difficult for the same generosity to be shown at a time when money will be needed to make repairs.
But, he said, the community can help in another way. He said anyone having knowledge about who may have caused the damage should call him at (440) 729-7842 or the Chester Police Department at (440) 729-1239.
Either way, Mr. Alcorn said the nonprofit association will have to find the money to make the repairs.
He said the money will go toward repairing the damage as well as installing some type of security system to prevent future vandalism like they're dealing with now.
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