Schiller Park historical marker knocked down again, community fed up with disrespect – WSYX

Schiller Park historical marker knocked down again, community fed up with disrespect  WSYX

The Ohio historical marker in German Village's Schiller Park was destroyed late Friday night after a car drove through the park and knocked it down. Columbus police were dispatched to Reinhard Avenue and South Third Street after reports of a vehicle hit-and-skip. When officers arrived, no one was inside the car. Police have not confirmed whether the vehicle was stolen or how many people were in the car. The crash left behind oil stains and tire tracks, while city crews worked to clean up the area and protect exposed wires. The 18-year-old marker was also repaired back in 2024. Reports are indicating teens were in the vehicle, but that information has yet to be confirmed by Columbus police.

Adam Dunckel regularly walks through Schiller Park and said he was frustrated to see the marker destroyed again. “It's absolutely ridiculous," Dunckel told ABC 6. "Why are people driving in the park? My car was stolen by a juvenile a few years ago and I see the rise in juvenile criminal activity. This isn't like stealing a candy bar from the store. This is actual crime that's costing a lot of taxpayer dollars. We need to crack down more on these juveniles." The car also narrowly missed the park’s beloved “Umbrella Girl” statue. Friends of Schiller Park shared photos of the damage,