Sometime from Sunday night, Nov. 19, to Monday morning, Nov. 20, vandals defaced historic parts of the Idyllwild Pines Camp, including its iconic covered bridge and amphitheater.

The graffiti, owing to its immature nature and subject matter, was likely the work of indolent local youth.

“It’s so disappointing,” said Ron Perry, pickleball volunteer who, along with other dedicated community members, had just finished completing a section of a retaining wall that was subsequently defaced. “Why would anyone do this?” he asked. “This has to be [the work] of older [children] rather than the 10-year-old boys who use the skate park.”

The vandalism has been reported to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department for investigation. Anyone with information as to the identity of the perpetrators of the crime should report it to the Hemet Station, 951-791-3400.

The Idyllwild Community Center board that manages both the skate park and the adjacent pickleball courts may consider installing security cameras to prevent further criminal instances of this kind.