For the past few weeks, thousands of dollars worth of trail signs have been damaged or stolen from hiking trails in Johnstown.The trail signs are being ripped out of the ground, picnic tables are being broken and trash is being dumped at Hinckston Dam area in Johnstown.
“It’s a shame that a small percentage of the population decides ‘Well, we’re going to destroy these things,'” said Douglas Yonker, president of Laurel Highlands Historical Village Organization.
LHHV spend months raising money to have an artist create educational trail signs.
“We are providing the community a place to bring their children so they can learn about wildlife and the environment,” said Ron Shawley, LHHV.
In the last few weeks, almost all of these handmade signs have been damaged or stolen.
“We were very, very proud of them and for them to be just taken and ripped out of the ground for no reason,” said Paulette Baker, treasurer and a founder of LHHV. “They were actually torn out of the ground, the stakes and signs themselves. It’s heartbreaking.”
While some vandals and trash dumpers have been caught by hidden trail cameras and successfully prosecuted, the area is still being destroyed.
The non profit says despite the damage, they’re putting up new signs and will continue their work to beautify the area.
“It’s kind of like the old saying,” said Baker. “You can either curse the darkness or you can continue to light as many candles as you can.”
They’re calling for help from the community to catch the vandals and they’re even increasing the reward to $200 for anyone with information.
If you have information you can call the Laurel Highland’s Historical Village office at (814) 322-1825, email Ron Shawley at [email protected], or connect with them on Facebook. LHHV said your tip may remain anonymous if desired.