Stern Grove Picnic Tables Torched, Smashed In Repeated Vandalism Incidents

Stern Grove Picnic Tables Torched, Smashed In Repeated Vandalism IncidentsIn a vandalism incident, fire burned through this Stern Grove Festival picnic table. (Photos: Stern Grove Festival)
Fiona Lee
Published on June 28, 2016

Over the past two weeks, the Stern Grove Festival has seen a sudden rash of vandalism, as several of its custom-built green picnic tables have been repeatedly damaged and destroyed by fire—including one table that was burnt to ash.

The popular festival sees large crowds gather each summer for its free Sunday concerts amongst the redwoods. But while incidences of litter and graffiti have occurred from time to time, this is the first time that fire has been involved.

The most recent vandalism incident occurred last night, June 28th. Previous incidents were discovered on June 20th and June 22nd.

Joseph Lafond, operations manager for the festival, first found the damaged tables on June 20th. "I'm down at the Grove during the week," he said. "I came and I found litter, beer bottles, cigarettes, and a pile of hay that had been burned on the table."

The vandalism was treated as an isolated incident—until Lafond discovered even more extreme damage on the 22nd, including a table burnt to ash.

A pile of ash after one of Stern Grove's picnic tables was found destroyed on June 22nd. | Photo: Stern Grove Festival

This morning, Stern Grove Festival and SF Rec and Park employees discovered yet another incident of vandalism. "They were at it again last night with cheap beer, American flags," says Lafond. "They just destroyed another table, and a few other benches."

While Stern Grove Festival has notified SF Park Patrol and SFPD Taraval Station of the vandalism, there are currently no leads. 

"At this point there is little to go on, other than the litter [the vandals] leave behind," says Monica Ware, interim executive director of Stern Grove Festival. "This is the first time I've seen fire at the park. This is basically getting into new territory for us—it's arson."

The most recent incident left a pile of ash and litter underneath an overturned table. | Photo: Stern Grove Festival 

On NextDoor, neighbors reported hearing an explosion in the grove at approximately 10:30pm last night, which may or may not have been related. "I was walking my dogs this morning and saw the damage it caused," wrote one neighbor. "One of the green tables in the amphitheater was on its side with a big hole in it, and it looks like several of the benches were mangled. The park guys said this was the third table that's been blown up since the tables were added. Such destructive behavior is ridiculous."

While Ware expressed gratitude to neighbors for their vigilance in helping keep the park and neighborhood safe, she and Lafond said that last night's explosion may not be related to the table fires, which appear to have used hay as fuel.

The picnic tables are not easily replaced. | Photo: Stern Grove Festival

The green picnic tables are not easily replaced, as they're custom-built for Stern Grove Festival so they can be easily stored in the off-season. But while Ware says that replacing the tables will be a "drag," she and the festival are much more concerned with the safety of the public. 

"Litter and beer is something we deal with all the time, but this is something that involves the safety of the community," she told us. "The last thing any of us want is a large fire in the neighborhood and the park." 

If you have information about the incidents at Stern Grove, contact San Francisco Police Department's anonymous tip line (415) 575-4444 or send a text message to TIP411 that includes "SFPD." You can also send us information on crimes in your neighborhood via our tipline