HOLLIDAYSBURG — Although graffiti from a recent incident at Canal Basin Park has been removed, officials are still on the hunt for more information about who carried out the vandalism.

According to Hollidaysburg police Chief Richard Oldham, multiple racial and homophobic slurs were spray painted onto playground slides and areas around the park.

The incident is believed to have occurred sometime over the weekend, or possibly even into early Monday morning, Oldham said.

The vandalism was discovered Tuesday and removed by public works employees just before lunchtime Wednesday, said Amy Hazlet, the borough’s public works director, who described the situation as “very disheartening,” especially after a similar incident occurred just weeks ago at Kelly Park and a nearby bridge.

Hollidaysburg police were able to catch four juveniles related to that incident, Hazlet said, adding she hopes the same people aren’t involved with what occurred at Canal Basin Park.

“We didn’t catch whoever did this over at Canal Basin Park,” Hazlet said, adding she was saddened to see the “hateful” rhetoric that was spray painted.

“The taxpayers and the community put in a lot of time building these parks, and we spend a lot of time maintaining (them so they’re) a nice place for kids to go and have fun,” Hazlet said.

While there have been some recent instances of vandalism, Oldham noted it generally doesn’t occur often.

“It’s not often, but it happens,” he said.

Other local officials also reported rare run-ins with vandalism crimes in their areas.

Ebensburg Borough Police Chief Joseph Loughran said it’s been years since Ebensburg has had any reported incidents.

“It’s a random thing that thankfully doesn’t occur with any frequency,” Loughran said.

In Bedford, officials are always on the lookout for vandalism, but thankfully, haven’t had any recent cases, according to Lindsay Salas, Bedford’s main street manager.

In the past, there was a castle in the playground area at Fort Bedford Park that Salas said would get vandalized from time to time. But the castle is no longer there, due to disrepair, she said, noting officials have plans to revamp the playground once future funding becomes available.

“To my knowledge, we haven’t had much vandalism, which I am very grateful and thankful for,” Salas said.

Hollidaysburg police have asked anybody with information about the Canal Basin Park incident to contact the department directly at 814-695-3711.

Oldham stressed it’s always important for people to report any suspicious activity they see so law enforcement can step in and prevent any kind of criminal activity before it happens.

Mirror Staff Writer Matt Churella is at 814-946-7520.