Vandals hit 23 city parks in Cape Coral over last year

CAPE CORAL, Fla. —

Cape Coral parks are turning into targets for fires, graffiti, and senseless destruction.

Over the last year, at least 23 parks across Cape Coral have been vandalized, costing the city nearly $25,000 in repairs, according to a city spreadsheet obtained by Gulf Coast News through a public records request.

The damage ranges from minor to extreme. At the Pelican Baseball Complex, vandals torched bathroom walls, leaving scorch marks still visible today. At Jim Jeffers Park, newly installed pour-and-play surfacing was damaged before it even finished setting, a repair that cost the city $7,000.

Other incidents include graffiti on playgrounds and restrooms, fires set in trash cans, and damage caused by burnouts and ATVs.

"There needs to be more done about it," said Jessica Gallucci, a parent who often brings her kids to the playground at the Pelican Sports Complex. "Absolutely more cameras... I do think there should be some sort of security system at a park."

At Crystal Lake Park, a trash can fire racked up a $3,500 repair bill. Saratoga Lake Park suffered nearly $2,800 in court damage after tire marks were left across its courts. At least five parks reported broken or stolen soap dispensers.

“The money’s got to come from somewhere, so it’s going to come out of our pockets,” said Jeremy McCarty, a Cape Coral father and Charlotte County deputy. “Maybe stiffen penalties, or when people are caught, hold them accountable.”

The Cape Coral Police Department recently arrested two teenagers in connection with vandalism and arson, but families say it's just a start.

"Increased security or additional building checks from the police would be good," suggested McCarty.

In an emailed statement, the City of Cape Coral said they are evaluating options to reduce vandalism, including installing cameras and increasing patrols. But the city noted that both approaches come with cost considerations, and no formal decisions have been made.

Gulf Coast News also contacted City Council members. Two responded, saying they support a broader discussion about preventing vandalism before more parks are damaged and more public dollars are drained.

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