Vandals hit Santa Clara

Over the past several years, the village of Santa Clara has put money and effort into beautifying the town with murals, mercado stalls, a new Splash Park, and more.

“People want a nice place to live,” said Village Clerk Sheila Hudman. 

But over the past two weeks, vandals have thumbed their noses at those efforts, damaging Viola Stone Park not once, but twice. 

Hudman said that two weeks ago, someone made a quarter-sized hole in the crumb rubber flooring at the park. Then, just last Monday, before it could be repaired, a much larger hole was left when someone tore a big chunk of the rubber flooring from the same spot. 

“They wanted to see what was underneath and pulled out a big patch,” Hudman said. 

It will cost the village $375 to repair. 

The crumb rubber — made from recycled, shredded tires — was installed in both the Splash Park and Viola Stone Park two years ago when the Splash Park was being built, funded by a $261,000 grant from the New Mexico Environment Department. The rubber is softer than wood chips and is comfortable to sit on during the village’s many summertime events like Movies and Music in the Park.

This isn’t the first time the park has been vandalized. 

Two years ago, after the crumb rubber was installed, the village had caution tape around the park but kids went in with their bikes anyway and tore it up. 

Hudman said the village is considering putting cameras in the park.

“Kids are bored, go to park and see what they can tear up,” she said. “There is no parental supervision.”

Viola Stone Park plays host to many summertime activities, including the Cobre District’s summer lunch program, the village library’s story time, and Movies and Music in the Park.  

Anyone who sees suspicious activity at any of the village’s parks during business hours should call Village Hall or the Santa Clara Police Department at 537-2443. After hours, call Central Dispatch at 388-8840.

—C.P. Thompson