MADISON (WKOW) — Police and community members were saddened by vandalism at Pine Meadows Park in Portage. Playground equipment, tennis courts and a nearby shed were vandalized with spray paint.

“It’s really useless and disheartening for a community,” said Detective Lieutenant with the Portage Police Department, Dan Garrigan.

The Portage Police Department says the two incidents of vandalism at Pine Meadows Park happened within a day of each other last weekend.

“I totally believe they’re related,” said Garrigan.

A man who lives across the street from the park says it’s disappointing.

“Some of the stuff that’s drawn and written there would be difficult to explain to her if she were older and obviously able to understand,” said Kevin Jones about the future possibility of explaining the more profane vandalism to his one year old daughter, Maya.

Jones works for the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, his marked car is usually feet from the park.

“It shouldn’t be happening,” Jones said.

Park crews have already started the process of cleaning up all the spray paint.

“You’re still left with markings after that,” said Det. Lt. Garrigan. “It’s going to be there and we’re always going to be seeing that until it’s replaced.”

He says because the park isn’t busy this time of year, he’s hoping someone noticed something.

“It’s winter time, right? So if I saw kids in the park in the winter I’d be like ‘Wow, great, what are they up to?'” he said. “So, I hope that someone saw someone and lets us know.”

Police don’t believe this is part of a bigger crime issue.

“I don’t believe that this is like a gang tagging of, like territory type thing,” he said. “I believe this is the foolish work of kids.”

Jones echoed what police said.

“I just hope it stops and that these, I’m assuming kids, learn that it’s not something that’s acceptable to be doing and there are repercussions if they get caught,” Jones said.

If you have any information about the vandalism, contact Columbia County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-293-TIPS (8477).