For the second time in as many months, thieves have targeted Lake Wilderness Arboretum.

The most recent theft was discovered as Arboretum personnel prepared for a meeting with officials from the city of Maple Valley to discuss the annual holiday lights display in the park. Garden Manager Susan Goodell noticed that damage has been done to the chain link gate at the back of the nursery. Property Manager Bob Wahlberg found the locks on storage sheds cut and tubs of extension cords missing, which gravely affects the planning efforts for this year’s scheduled events.

Wahlberg has filed a report with the Maple Valley police. Both Lake Wilderness Park and Lodge have also been affected by recent vandalism.

“I have met our new police chief DJ Nesel, who is very willing to lend support, but we all realize the challenges of protecting a property like this,” Goodell said. “I am hopeful that the park system will work with us to create a better security system. Until that day, we have to accept the losses, which makes it difficult to keep anything of value on our property.”

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