The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) is seeking witnesses and information after damage was discovered at the Waterloo Eddy Regional Park in Ootischenia.
The damage was discovered at the park the morning of May 2, according to a statement from the RDCK.
The district says it appears as if a large machine entered the park by removing barriers meant to restrict motorized use and continued along the pedestrian path removing additional barriers. Many of the barriers removed were disposed of in riparian and shoreline areas below causing significant damage.
“I am saddened to see the vandalism that occurred at Waterloo Eddy Regional Park,” said Henny Hanegraaf, RDCK Electoral Area J Director. “The Park is an outdoor space for all local residents to enjoy, in its natural state, which was expressed by residents during a public consultation process in 2015.”
The board adopted the Waterloo Eddy Regional Park Management Plan in 2016, which restricts motor vehicle access to the park due to the impact they cause to the terrestrial and aquatic habitats.
Motorized vehicle access is restricted to the designated parking lot at the north end of the park. Landscape design, barriers and fencing are used to prevent motorized access to the back eddy, seasonally flooded areas, and remaining areas of the park.
The RDCK says this is the fourth vandalism incident that has happened at Waterloo Eddy Regional Park within the last two years.
Vandalism causes thousands of dollars worth of damage to regional district parks every year.
If you have any information about the incidents, please call the Castlegar RCMP at 250-365-7721 to speak with an investigator or email bylaw@rdck.bc.ca to submit a complaint.
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