Graffiti at Winkler Park Leads to Reward by Concerned Citizens in Fort Thomas

FTM file.

In the early morning hours of Friday, July 10th graffiti was discovered on the dugouts at Winkler Park on Alexandria Pike near Woodfill Elementary. As a result, a group of concerned Fort Thomas residents have raised money as a reward to help find those responsible. The group has previously taken the trajectory of the softball program under their wing.

The reward is up to $350.

Vince Turner is part of the group to raise funds for the reward. Turner had a daughter on the softball team last year, “The group of people that raised the money all feel like it was someone that painted on their house. Many of the girls and their parents have worked so hard over the years to finally have a home field they can be proud of and the community can be proud of,” said Turner. “This is disgraceful and we want to find those responsible.”

In 2013, the project was built jointly between the City of Fort Thomas and Fort Thomas Independent Schools. The city provided $30,000 for the new softball complex and contributed construction labor and materials for new dugouts, restrooms, and concessions. The Highlands Athletic Boosters then agreed to repay that loan over the next five years.

FTM file.

The Birdcage, as its affectionately known, has become of the best fast pitch softball communities in Northern Kentucky, according to Turner. In February, many individuals who are raising money for the reward were part of the same group who organized a community yard sale to help build batting cages and pitching tunnels for the field.

“The great thing about our community is when something like this happens, people step up to make sure it is a isolated incident. I shared a few pictures on Facebook and people started messaging me about adding to the reward money,” said Turner. “Some were parents of current players and some were parents of alumni players. Some were just citizens who respect the way the field is coming along and the hard work that has been put in by so many over the years. To think just three years ago the girls were still playing games in ‘Death Valley.'”

If you’d like to contribute to the reward, you can call Vince Turner at 859-866-9950. If you have information about the crime, you can call the Fort Thomas Police at 859-441-6562 or submit tips anonymously via the Sentiguard app.