'Joyride' In Mokena Park Destroys Field, Damages Playground

MOKENA, IL — Mokena Park District officials are frustrated after someone drove through a park and playground twice, damaging playground equipment and destroying the grass.

Mokena Park District Executive Director Greg Vitale said Thursday that a vehicle driving across the grass at Willowview Park caused thousands of dollars in damage, also rendering it unusable by soccer programs this spring.

"To the person or persons who decided to joyride through Willowview Park on or about the evening of January 31 and again on or around February 13, please be advised that you left a piece of your vehicle behind and it was turned over to the police," park district officials said on social media. "Also, please be advised that your fun evenings may prevent hundreds of children from using the soccer fields this spring because the extensive damage will likely take several months to repair."

Vitale said the first incident on Jan. 31 damaged the playground, and likely also left its mark on the vehicle used. A piece of the vehicle was found at the scene. It's likely the driver did not realize a piece of equipment they were hitting was anchored in cement to keep it upright, Vitale said.

The second incident on Feb. 13 resulted in the damage to the soccer field, Vitale said. The field is used by roughly 300 children through the park district, and also shared by children from St. Mary's.

Vitale filed police reports for both instances. He said the parks are checked daily, and so the damage must have been done overnight.

Anyone who lives in the area of the 11400 block of W. 197th Street is asked to check their doorbell cameras. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Mokena Police Department at (708)479-3911.