This Editorial was submitted to the San Marcos Mercury in the form of a letter to the person or people who destroyed a trail marker last month in the Purgatory Creek Natural Area.
When you took an axe or more likely a knife and whittled away at the trail marker last Monday afternoon? What did you benefit or gain from this repressed aggression against an inanimate object?
Vandalism on a new trail marker.
You went on to destroy several persimmon trees that were safely off the trail and causing no harm to safe passage along one of San Marcos most beautiful natural areas, Purgatory Creek.
Let me tell you who you hurt with your action. A college student carefully and precisely routed the four sides of the post with information. The distance in three directions along the trail that directed people to a wonderful geologic force of nature, The Grotto. The fourth side gave credit to the people in the community who made the sign possible. The Bluebonnet Lions club is a group that works tirelessly to benefit the community and then returns their profits to organizations that further enhance the community.
The Greenbelt Alliance spent more than an hour planting the post in Hill Country soil that is mostly rock. When you came back, and that’s how we know the time you were there, you tried to remove the post. Guess you weren’t as strong as you thought you were. There’s a secret you’d learn if you stayed in school.
You also hurt the bikers, dog walkers, runners, and hikers in the community who are out to enjoy some fresh air and get some exercise in the effort.
The City of San Marcos and other entities purchased this property and others like it to benefit you and those younger than you in an effort to get you outdoors, observe what it real, smell what is in the air, and experience something that is not enclosed on six sides.
I doubt if you are reading this but I hope that your father or mother are and that they recognize you for your willful destruction and take action.
There are many opportunities for you and some of them start right here. It’s time to open your eyes, your ears, your nose and get outside and take advantage of what is being provided for you by the community where you live. There’s a lot to learn and who knows you might even go on in life with a greater appreciation of what is.
-Lance Jones, San Marcos Resident and regular trail-crew volunteer
