Some issues recently at Valley parks

 Now that school is out people are using the parks more and in some cases that’s not a good thing, said Spokane Valley Parks and Recreation Director Mike Stone. The city employs a park ambassador who patrols the city parks on evenings and weekends to make sure there are no issues and that any private events happen as planned. Last weekend the employee noticed someone making a determined effort to break off part of the Mountain Man bronze sculpture, “Walking the Line,” next to Discovery Playground on Sunday morning, Stone said.

 The employee noticed a young man pounding on the statue and talking on the phone. He was saying he was trying to “get it off,” but it wasn’t working, Stone said. The man noticed the park ambassador’s interest and left on his motorcycle, but later returned. He left again and then came back in the afternoon with a friend. The park ambassador called police. “I don’t think they’re through with this sculpture,” Stone said.

 Also last weekend someone tried to climb Mirabeau Falls and graffiti was found in the Discovery Playground restroom.

– Nina Culver, staff writer