Sturges Park in Scranton’s Green Ridge section has been struck by vandals for the second time in recent months, leaving neighbors frustrated and prompting calls for increased security. According to the Green Ridge Neighborhood Association, the recent wave of vandalism at the park—affectionately known by locals as "Pretzel Park"—resulted in two young trees being completely knocked over and uprooted. The city had planted those specific trees within the last year or two as part of community beautification efforts.
In addition to destroying the trees, the vandals left behind a significant amount of litter, including a bunch of beer cans scattered across the property. A heavy park bench was also dragged out of its place and shoved into the center garden area, trampling a variety of plants and flowers. Association President Laura Agostini noted that local volunteers work incredibly hard to plant and maintain those garden beds, making the destruction especially disheartening. In response to the recurring issues, the neighborhood association has reached out to the city of Scranton to discuss the potential installation of security cameras at the North Washington Avenue park to deter future criminal activity.
