The theft of a water storage tank from Glenwood Park is just one example of illegal activity that has plagued the small county facility on Highway 11.
The county Department of Parks and Recreation issued a press release Monday announcing the park would be closed until further notice after the 3,000-gallon tank was stolen sometime early that morning.
But Roxcie Waltjen, department director, said it has been closed for a couple of months because of vandalism and other illegal activity, including drug use.
“There has been other issues at the park,” she said Tuesday. “People think they can live there.”
Other problems include people taking light bulbs and wires.
“They went into the electrical and hooked up their own wires so they could watch TV,” Waltjen said, regarding people who stay there at night.
She said she doesn’t intend to keep it permanently closed, but noted the constant repairs are costing the department. At this point, she doesn’t know when it could reopen.
The tank, which could cost $5,000 to replace, was targeted before by thieves and vandals.
The cover was stolen twice in the past few years. At least once someone defecated inside.
There’s no fence around the park, which includes a small pavilion and bathrooms, so it’s hard for the department to keep people out, even if it’s technically closed. Only the bathrooms can be locked.
Waltjen said someone offered to donate a water tank, but the county still has to repair water lines that were damaged.
“At this point, money is a problem,” she said. “I’m hoping we can get a little bit more information pointing us in the right direction.
“This is not something you can put in your own pocket and walk away with.”
Waltjen said the tank was bolted in place.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information about the whereabouts of the water tank is asked to call the police nonemergency line at 935-3311 or Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.
Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.