Vandal Arrested After Putting Treadwell Playing Fields Out Of Commission

By Andrew Gorosko

Police have arrested a Sandy Hook youth, charging him with first degree criminal mischief for allegedly using a minivan to do an estimated $36,000 worth of turf damage to athletic fields at the town’s Treadwell Park on Philo Curtis Road.

Police said Thursday morning that they charged Scott Carnrick, 18, of 20 Mountain Laurel Lane with the felony in connection with the turf damage, which apparently occurred sometime on Tuesday evening. Patrol Officer Phil Hynes investigated.

The incident represents the most extensive vandalism at a local park in memory. In October 2000, someone burned down a new tots playground at Treadwell Park, causing $17,000 in damage. No one has ever been charged for setting fire to the playground.

The turf damage will prevent the fields from being used as local sports seasons begin.

The two park playing fields, which lie in a basin below the park’s curving driveway, are marred by extensive scarring caused by the vehicle’s tires skidding as it drove across the soft, moist turf. The vehicle apparently was driven thousands of feet across the turf, leaving hundreds, if not thousands, of feet of tire tracks in the sod. In some areas, the turf contains circular tire marks, known as “doughnuts,” indicating the vehicle was intentionally rotated to create the round patterns.

Police said that at 7:40 am Wednesday they went to Treadwell Park to investigate a report of extensive turf damage.

Police said their investigation led to Carnrick and to the minivan, which Carnrick allegedly used to damage the turf. Police said some other youths may be charged in connection with the incident.

After processing his arrest, police released Carnrick on a written promise to appear April 17 in Danbury Superior Court to face a judge on the charge.

Director of Parks and Recreation Barbara Kasbarian said both a soccer field and a softball field received heavy damage in the incident.

Ms Kasbarian said the damage reportedly was first discovered after Carnrick had called for a tow truck after having become stuck in the soft turf with the minivan. She said it is unclear how the minivan reached the playing fields from the street.

Ms Kasbarian said the town will replace the damaged turf with new sod to make the damaged fields playable again.

Newtown High School will thus not be able to start its male and female lacrosse and its female softball seasons on time at Treadwell Park, she said.

Also, town-sponsored soccer, lacrosse, softball, and baseball teams will not be able to use the damaged fields until they are repaired, she said.

Games would be played elsewhere until the damaged fields can be made playable again, she said.

The turf damage will have a large impact on local sports, Ms Kasbarian said. She said she hopes that repaired fields can be in use again within one month.

Carl Samuelson, the assistant director of parks and recreation, said it is estimated to cost between $34,000 and $38,000 to repair the turf damage.