ALLENDALE CHARTER TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Tami Vroma leads and coaches a local pickleball group that plays at the Allendale Community Park. Fences that the group raised money for and then specifically built for the park's courts were vandalized at the end of August.
"The devastating part was they destroyed them on Friday, and then they came back," said Vroma, as a group of players first discovered the damages in the morning of Aug. 31.
The short metal fences, meant to stop balls from rolling onto neighboring courts, were found to be twisted and damaged, with some being ripped from their posts.
When players came again Sunday morning, the discovered the fences had been damaged even further.
"With these fences, we were able to stop them from going into other people's games, going under other people's feet and making it safer," said Vroma, who says she has seen players fall and hit their heads on concrete from balls that had rolled onto the court.
The group had to raise around $1,000 for the fences, and they were made according to the parameters set by the township to not damage the court. Vroma's husband welded the metal gates to stands that could then sit on top of the court, and included rubber feet to not leave any marks.
"Why does somebody choose to do this? And are they hurting that bad in their soul, that this is how they find pleasure?" asked Vroma on how she felt when discovering the damages.
Vroma says their group has received new metal fences that have recently been donated, but they are worried that vandalism will continue.
"We're trying to figure out a way to get camera systems, and we're really hoping. You know, the township provided us with these beautiful courts, and we are so grateful to have them. We would love to partner with them to figure out a way to protect them," said Vroma.
With the group largely consisting of retirees and seniors, Vroma says the courts in the township give people an important opportunity to socialize and form community.
"There's a lot of people in the community that don't have any ties, or they're older people, and they keep to themselves, and they don't get the exercise that they need," said Vroma. "This court allows them to come out and be active and keep themselves in shape, and, more importantly, to socialize."
She adds they hope to soon be able to rebuilt the fences to prevent fall hazards.
The Ottawa County Sheriff's Office says they took a Malicious Destruction of Property (MDOP) report, and ask that anyone with information contact the sheriff's office or Silent Observer at 1-877-88-SILENT (745368) or mosotips.com.