Vandalism has been an issue for Wellman’s North Park in recent years, and it continues to vex the city as we make headway into 2023.   

On Tuesday, Jan. 24, vandals set fire to the North Park dugout, causing an estimated $2500 in damage.  The structure was originally funded by a Washington County Riverboat Foundation grant.

“At about 6:59 p.m. is when the call came in.  And the crazy thing is, I just drove by there.  I had gone out to pick up my daughter from a volleyball practice,” Kelly Litwiller, Wellman’s City Administrator, said.  “I came back into town, and then it wasn’t 20 minutes later I was at home cooking supper, and they called and were like, ‘Uh, North Park’s dugout’s on fire.’  And I’m like, ‘What? I just drove past like 20 minutes ago.’”

The Wellman Volunteer Fire Department responded, and the fire was extinguished by 7:17 p.m.  

“They put it out pretty fast,” Litwiller said.  “When it’s wood, it goes fast.  It’s a lot of damage.”

“I’m glad they didn’t damage the concession stand,” she added, taking note of how close the fire was to the building where ball fans purchase grilled burgers and bottled Gatorade in summer.

The incident is under investigation by the Washington County Sheriff’s office.