The Grant Pavilion at Millennium Park and Beach was damaged by vandals over the weekend.

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While I'm disappointed someone would cause such damage and destruction, I'm actually thankful it happened. Now, before you judge me and think I'm a terrible person give me a chance to explain why.

Grant Pavilion At Millennium Park And Beach Damaged By Vandals

Credit: Big Joe Pesh / TSM
Credit: Big Joe Pesh / TSM
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Millennium Park and Beach posted on Facebook that vandals severely damaged the Grant Pavilion sometime between 10 pm on Friday night - 7 am on Saturday morning.

 What Did The Vandals Do To The Grant Pavilion?

The Millennium Park and Beach Facebook post said that they couldn't post any pictures of the graffiti because they were too graphic and vulgar. I wanted to see what happened so after I was done doing my morning show I put the address in my GPS and headed to Millennium Park.

Cleaning Up The Grant Pavilion At Millennium Park

After I arrived I parked and made my way up to the pavilion and saw three Kent County Parks and Recs Employees cleaning up the damage.

Credit: Big Joe Pesh / TSM
Credit: Big Joe Pesh / TSM
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I approached the three Kent County Parks and Recs employees and tried to find out more about what happened over the weekend.

Credit: Big Joe Pesh / TSM
Credit: Big Joe Pesh / TSM
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As I got closer I could see a lot of cleaning supplies.

Credit: Big Joe Pesh / TSM
Credit: Big Joe Pesh / TSM
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A power sprayer can be seen laying on the ground. There was lots of vulgar and inappropriate graffiti that had to be blasted off.

Credit: Big Joe Pesh / TSM
Credit: Big Joe Pesh / TSM
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In the bucket, you can see a scrapper and two brooms to scrub off spray paint.

Credit: Big Joe Pesh / TSM
Credit: Big Joe Pesh / TSM
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The Parks and Rec employees did such a great job that it's hard to tell that any damage was done to this area.

What Did The Vandals Draw That Couldn't Be Posted On Facebook?

According to people doing clean-up, the vandals spray-painted phallic symbols as well as racist words and symbols. By the time I arrived those images and words had already been power sprayed off and painted over.

Credit: Big Joe Pesh / TSM
Credit: Big Joe Pesh / TSM
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There were still a few spots where you could see the black spray paint

Credit: Big Joe Pesh / TSM
Credit: Big Joe Pesh / TSM
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Credit: Big Joe Pesh / TSM
Credit: Big Joe Pesh / TSM
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I also saw these white markings on some pillars. I'm not sure what it's from ;)

Credit: Big Joe Pesh / TSM
Credit: Big Joe Pesh / TSM
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This Is Why I'm Thankful Someone Vandalized The Millennium Park Pavilion

As I said earlier, while I'm disappointed someone would cause such damage and destruction, I'm actually thankful it happened. The reason why is because I had never been to Millennium Park And Beach before. After arriving I was blown away by how beautiful it was. I saw people walking their dogs and pushing kids around in strollers.

Credit: Big Joe Pesh / TSM
Credit: Big Joe Pesh / TSM
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Behind the pavilion was beautiful water with birds chirping and swans swimming.

Credit: Big Joe Pesh / TSM
Credit: Big Joe Pesh / TSM
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Credit: Big Joe Pesh / TSM
Credit: Big Joe Pesh / TSM
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I also loved seeing people willing to jump in and volunteer with the clean-up.

Credit: Millennium Park and Beach via Facebook
Credit: Millennium Park and Beach via Facebook
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I also ran into Dave and Rachel Bouwkamp whose daughter Elsa was scheduled to have her wedding reception there soon. I asked them why they came down to the pavilion. They told me they were already planning on checking the location out again before someone at their church told them about the vandalism. I also asked Rachel what did she think when she heard about the damage?

We're just devastated that somebody would destroy it, not just for them but it's such a pretty spot, why would you ruin someone's wedding? How many other people had things planned?  - Rachel Bouwkamp

 

Will The Grand Pavillion Be Able To Host Events Soon?

According to a post on Millennium Park and Beach, all reservations are on schedule.

How To Make A Reservation At Millennium Park And Beach

Credit: Big Joe Pesh / TSM
Credit: Big Joe Pesh / TSM
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The Kent County Parks and Recs website says Millennium Park has two large open picnic shelters available for rent. Each can accommodate up to 140 people.

Credit: Big Joe Pesh / TSM
Credit: Big Joe Pesh / TSM
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Millennium Park also features a large open-air pavilion with a scenic lake view and an “under roof” seating capacity of 350+ people at tables.

Credit: Big Joe Pesh / TSM
Credit: Big Joe Pesh / TSM
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Grant Pavilion is available for rentals for private and public functions. The park also has a smaller family shelter near the volleyball court and a beach shelter which is within the beach area. Both of these are available on a first come first served basis only.

For prices and more info CLICK HERE

What To Do If You Have Any Info On Who Did This

Anyone with information should contact the Kent County Sheriff's Office non-emergency number 616.632.6100.

Where Is Millenium Park and Beach Located?

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