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More senseless vandalism

Beaver Creek State Park is one of the hidden treasures of Columbiana County.

Established in 1949, the vast park offers camping, hiking, fishing and the Pioneer Village, which features a log home, church, schoolhouse, general store and blacksmith shop. The village is next to the historic Gaston’s Mill that was built in 1837 on Little Beaver Creek and is now restored and open to the public. The mill has various displays of antique milling equipment and works seasonally grinding whole wheat flour, cornmeal and buckwheat flour. The village is open on weekends during the summer season.

While the park is operated by the Ohio Department of National Resources, most of the work restoring and maintaining the Pioneer Village is done by a group of hard-working volunteers, who call themselves the Friends of Beaver Creek State Park and Pioneer Village. The work on the village is not funded through the state, but is done with donations and fundraisers conducted by the group, including the pancake breakfasts which are held from 8 a.m. to noon the third Sunday of each month. All the proceeds go toward the village’s upkeep.

This past week it was discovered that vandals had smashed 13 individual panes of glass on some of the village buildings.

What a shame these good-hearted volunteers toil away to help maintain this tourist attraction, only to have it damaged by senseless acts of vandalism.

Once again we find ourselves asking what makes some human beings reap joy from damaging property, whether public or private, through vandalism?

Are they just savage animals who have no appreciation for the finer things in life? Or are they so mentally warped that this is their way of having fun?

If you witness acts of vandalism or suspicious behavior on public property be certain to call the authorities. At Beaver Creek you should call the Ohio Department of National Resources by dialing #ODNR or call the Ohio Highway Patrol.

We’ll probably never be able to completely stop these stupid acts, but successful prosecution and punishment of some cases may act as a deterrent.

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