On April 3, 2025, at approximately 7:00 AM, officers responded to a report of damage at Fountain Lake Park, located at the intersection of Broadway Avenue and Lakeview Boulevard. Upon investigation, officers discovered extensive damage to park lighting and landscaping.
The damage includes:
• Streetlights: Three streetlight-style lights in the grassy area near the water had their glass globes smashed.
• Sidewalk Marker Light: One raised marker light near the water’s edge had its top broken off.
• Electrical Panel: The electrical panel was opened, and rocks (rip rap from the lake’s edge) were thrown against the breakers, causing visible damage.
• Gazebo Landscaping: The landscaping/retaining wall around the gazebo, particularly on the north side, was broken apart and overturned.
• Stadium Seating Marker Lights: Marker lights embedded in the cement stadium seating area were kicked out.
• Scattered Rip Rap: Rocks, likely used to cause the damage, were scattered across the sidewalk.
The estimated damage is in excess of $30,000.
Investigators believe the vandalism occurred within the previous two to three days, given the prevailing weather conditions.
“This level of destruction is deeply concerning, and we are committed to holding those responsible accountable,” said Lt. Darin Palmer of the Albert Lea Police Department. “Fountain Lake Park is a valued community space, and this senseless act of vandalism impacts everyone who enjoys it.”
The Albert Lea Police Department has documented the damage with photographs, and the City Park and Recreation Department has been notified to initiate repairs. Extra patrols will be conducted in the park to deter further incidents.
We urge anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity in Fountain Lake Park between April 1, 2025, and April 3, 2025, or who has any information related to this incident, to contact the Albert Lea Police Department immediately.
Your assistance is crucial in helping us bring those responsible to justice.
In a significant development, an anonymous donor committed to a $1,000 reward for information leading to the identification, arrest and subsequent conviction of the individual(s) responsible for this vandalism. The case remains unsolved.