Plaques belong to benches purchased and trees planted by family members or organizations in memory of a loved one

Enabling Gardens president Trevor Barton shows the location of one of the stolen plaques at Riverside Park. Nancy Ariss for GuelphToday

1 / 1 Enabling Gardens president Trevor Barton shows the location of one of the stolen plaques at Riverside Park. Nancy Ariss for GuelphToday

Vandals have stolen a number of brass memorial plaques from benches and trees in Riverside Park.

In all likelihood the copper and brass plaques, many purchased by family members in memory of a loved one, are being stolen to be traded in for scrap metal or melted down.

Many of the plaques are in the volunteer-run Enabling Garden in the south end of the park.

Police have been notified.

Trevor Barton, Enabling Garden’s director, co-founder and current chair, said that “most likely the vandals did this either Thursday night or early Friday morning before the start of the Thanksgiving long weekend.

"This time of year is when many family members come to the park and enjoy the beautiful gardens and the beauty of the Fall Colours,” Barton said.

“Past vandalism has occurred in the Enabling Gardens, but not to this extent. Previously a once-standing statue of a Dalmatian dog had been stolen several times, found and repaired; only to be found one last time beyond repair in pieces in the Speed River.

Barton said that "scoundrels" pried off the founding brass plaque of the Enabling Gardens this past Easter to get around $25 in scrap.

"These vandals are working all over the city and taking brass or copper plaques to melt down for money."

Barton said the Enabling Gardens is getting quotes for replacement plaques and are looking at using plastic instead of brass.

The new plaques will be installed in the spring.

The benches and plaques located outside of the Enabling Gardens are city owned and are purchased privately through family members or organizations.

City parks manager Heather Flaherty said the city is still investigating.

“We're still investigating the extent of the stolen plaques and are using our GIS system to identify final numbers and locations. Once we have a full listing, we will file the final report with the Guelph Police Service as they have been notified of this incident," Flaherty said.

“There have only been a very small number of plaques from benches/trees vandalized or stolen over the years, where the families have chosen to pay for the replacement. It is unfortunate that this act of vandalism has not taken into regard the special reasons for the plaques to be there in the first place.”

Flaherty pointed out that scrap yards and pawn shops are supposed to report suspicious offerings to police.

"We remain hopeful that the plaques may be returned. Based on the size of the plaques, message etc., the cost for replacement varies, but in the vicinity of $200 to $400. We will be notifying families/organizations once we have all the information compiled and make a plan for replacement."