Messages of hate were discovered painted onto natural features inside of Forest Park earlier this week, according to a nonprofit parks watchdog.
NYC Parks Advocates reported on July 27 that city Parks Department employees found swastikas and homophobic graffiti on tree trunks and even rocks in a secluded area of the park at about 4 p.m. on July 25. The vandalism was discovered in the vicinity of Park Lane South and 112th Street, a short distance from the Long Island Rail Road’s Montauk branch.
It wasn’t immediately known how long the graffiti had been there. The swastikas and slurs, which included “Kill gay ppl (sic)” and “F–K F–S,” were painted in yellow, red and white spray paint.
According to Geoffrey Croft of NYC Parks Advocates, the matter was referred to the 102nd Precinct, which is reportedly investigating the crime as an episode of criminal mischief.
A law enforcement source said that the NYPD Hate Crimes Squad has also been notified. No arrests, however, have been made at this time.
QNS reached out to the city’s Parks Department about the matter and is awaiting a response.
