While Effingham County Sheriff’s deputies try to find who did it, Effingham County Recreation and Parks Director Clarence Morgan is trying to figure out why.

Vandals struck R.B. Baker Lake and Walking Trail on Thursday night, after the security gates had been locked for the evening.
The perpetrators damaged tennis courts, restrooms and other areas of the park, resulting in about $10,000 in damage, according to the ECSO.

“They just went wild,” said longtime ECRP Director Clarence Morgan. “In the restrooms, they smashed the floor. They turned over all the trash cans. They mashed three tennis nets. They tore up the bleachers.”

Paper towels were strewn through the trees, Morgan said.

After a spate of vandalism a couple of years ago, the recreation department put in security measures. They had personnel there each night to lock the gates to the facility as they left for the evening. The gates were locked around 9 or 9:15 Thursday night, Morgan said.

“We have someone there from 6-10 every night, and that put a stop to things,” he said. “It’s been a while since we’ve had anything bad at Baker, probably about a year or two. But they made up for lost time.”

Repairing the damage to the restrooms shouldn’t take long, according to Morgan, but he had no idea how soon he could have the tennis courts repaired.

Anyone with information is asked to call the ECSO at 754-3449. Callers may remain anonymous.