Vandals struck in Fountain Park overnight Thursday, June 30, overturning two pieces of public art and dislodging and throwing signs into the lake. They also overturned and damaged portable light stands that had been put in place for the July 4th celebration in the park on Monday.

The artwork entitled “Second Mesa Maiden” was dislodged from its base and left lying on the ground. The “Infinity Ring” was removed from its pedestal and thrown in the lake.

A sign indicating the restriction on skateboarding and similar activity in the park was pulled from the ground and tossed in the lake as well as an artwork identification sign.

Parks staff had recovered the items from the water by 8 a.m. on Friday.

The damage to the artwork and signage occurred in the vicinity of the amphitheater near Saguaro Boulevard and Panorama Drive.

Farther south in the park, in an open grassy area near Avenue of the Fountains, staff had placed a number of temporary light stands and strung lighting for the Fourth of July celebration scheduled for Monday. Those standards were all overturned and left lying in the grass. There was some damage to the bases for the light poles.

Parks Supervisor Kevin Snipes said he does not believe this is typical juvenile vandalism. He believes the considerable effort it would have taken to overturn the one art piece and lift the roughly 200 pound metal ring required considerable manpower.

Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office has been asked to investigate.