A Mullica Township soccer field was left with deep tire ruts and damaged grass after a group of dirt bike riders entered the recreational complex Thursday evening, according to police.
The incident happened around 7 p.m. Sept. 3 at the Mullica Township Recreation Complex on Elwood Road. Police said several riders were seen driving across the soccer fields, tearing up the grass and leaving visible tracks across the playing surface.
The damage was significant enough to draw concern from people familiar with the recreational area, which is used by local youth sports programs.
Witnesses described seeing about five riders on the property. Police said surveillance footage later captured the group traveling near the Elwood Volunteer Fire Department. Investigators also said the riders were last seen heading south on Weymouth Road before turning east onto Blueberry Road.
The recreation complex includes soccer and baseball fields, batting cages, a basketball court and the Pine Cone Zone playground. The facility is used for community sports throughout the year, including soccer programs that run during the spring and fall seasons.
Residents expressed frustration over the damage, particularly because the fields are maintained for children and community sports.
“To be honest, it’s disgraceful in my opinion,” Eugene Bidondo said after seeing the ruts and tire marks left across the field.
Bridget DiMarco also questioned why riders would use a community sports field when off-road riding areas are available elsewhere.
Police said the dirt bikes involved were not street legal and should not have been operating on the roadway or inside the recreational complex. Investigators believe the riders may be in their late teens or early 20s and may have come from outside the township.
Mullica Township’s rules specifically prohibit dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles from recreational facilities and fields. Township regulations also prohibit operating off-road vehicles on public grounds, including parks and recreational areas. Violations can carry penalties of up to a $1,000 fine, up to 30 days in county jail, or both, depending on the applicable provision.
Police are still assessing the extent of the damage and working to identify the riders. The condition of the field could also affect the recreation programs that depend on the playing surface, as the township’s recreation facilities are maintained through a combination of municipal and volunteer efforts.
Anyone who recognizes the riders or has information that could help investigators is asked to contact Sgt. Antonio Lupinetti at the Mullica Township Police Department at 609-561-7600, extension 123, or by email at [email protected].
