John B
06-12-2018, 09:08
When I read about vandalism in national parks, it really bothers me not just as someone who cares about our natural areas, but also as someone who is frequently involved in cleaning up the damage.
I do trail maintenance on the second Saturday of every month at Red River Gorge in Kentucky.
There have been several instances of people spray painting (or worse yet, carving) graffiti on sandstone outcroppings. Last year near the Sky Bridge section at Red River, trail maintenance crews had to devote 2 outings to clean it up. The paint goes into the grain, cracks, and indentations on the sandstone, and it was necessary to use a sand blaster to clean it off.
I saw a LOT of graffiti on the AT. Thankfully most was confined to shelters where it is easier to clean up. Still, if common decency isn't enough to prevent vandalism, then I think that it's time to consider stronger criminal penalties. Maybe that won't work, either, but it's worth consideration
https://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/Colorado-National-Monument-vandalism-promposal-12985677.php
I do trail maintenance on the second Saturday of every month at Red River Gorge in Kentucky.
There have been several instances of people spray painting (or worse yet, carving) graffiti on sandstone outcroppings. Last year near the Sky Bridge section at Red River, trail maintenance crews had to devote 2 outings to clean it up. The paint goes into the grain, cracks, and indentations on the sandstone, and it was necessary to use a sand blaster to clean it off.
I saw a LOT of graffiti on the AT. Thankfully most was confined to shelters where it is easier to clean up. Still, if common decency isn't enough to prevent vandalism, then I think that it's time to consider stronger criminal penalties. Maybe that won't work, either, but it's worth consideration
https://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/Colorado-National-Monument-vandalism-promposal-12985677.php