$500 Reward Offered to Catch Starr-Iva Playground Vandals

A $500 reward is being offered for information leading to the individual or individuals who vandalized the playground at the Starr-Iva Walking Track, an area built in honor of fallen Anderson County Deputy Alex Burdette.

The Anderson County Sheriff's Office is investigating the incident.

The playground, located on Bowie Street, was damaged between the hours of 10:15 pm, Monday and 7 am, Today, still closed until repairs can be make. was damaged recently said they found overturned trash, swings wrapped around poles and the rock climbing wall ripped off.

Starr mayor Ed Sokol was at the playground Tuesday helping to clean up trash. Sokol said he is contacting the manufacturer about replacement parts for the things damaged.

Jessica Blanton, an Upstate mom whose son, Jackson, helped raise money to build the new playground, said they saw the damage while visiting the park Tuesday. Blanton said Burdette's family lived near the walking track and after his death in 2005, his wife and daughters put up the playground in his honor.

After several years, the playground had suffered wear so Jackson and a group of friends nicknamed "The Starr Kids" raised money in the community to buy all new equipment.

"Starr is, like I said, a tight-knit community," Sokol said. "I feel like that someone that knows something about it would come forward."

A $500 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest. Call 864-352-2138 or the Anderson County Sheriff's Department.