Local citizens took the initiative to help clean up inappropriate and vulgar graffiti found in the Rotary Skate Park over the weekend.

Included in the clean up were Brienne Diebolt-Brown and her son Nels, Marjorie Stoneman, Jake Chartrand, a UW-W student on the bike path along with Kathy and Dakota Hintz, a grandmother and granddaughter who were passing by.

The citizens quickly gathered some paint and stencils and painted butterflies and smiley faces on top of the offensive markings. 

In situations like this, graffiti is removed with a solvent when found on city property. However, due to the quick response and creativity shown by the citizens, city staff felt it only appropriate to leave the positive designs for all to see.

“City staff chose to leave the pictures of the butterflies as a hopeful reminder, that we as a community would rather have butterflies than the hurtful words that were projected in the found vandalism,” said Chuck Nass, Whitewater Streets & Parks Superintendent.

City officials would like to extend their gratitude and appreciation to those who assisted in the cleanup.

A police report was filed on the vandalism to the park. Anyone with information on this case should contact the Whitewater Police Detective Bureau at 262-473-0555. Those with information who wish to remain anonymous can call Walworth County Crime Stoppers at 800-741-4616 or text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES). Begin the message with the agency keyword “TIP4WC”.  You can also submit a tip to http://www.whitewater-wi.gov/crime-alerts.