WAIPAHU, Hawaii — The Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation will close the off-leash dog park within Patsy T. Mink Central Oahu Regional Park in Waipahu after the grass was vandalized, according to a news release.

The park closure will start on June 7, when DPR crews will begin repairs. 

The off-leash dog park’s reopening date is uncertain, as the DPR does not know how long repairs will take. Photos of the damage show brown and dead grass at both the small and big dog park.

The DPR said they were not sure when the vandalism occurred, but that it was caused by someone who sprayed “an unauthorized substance” onto the grass. Other park users told the DPR that the substance was a mixture containing vinegar. 

“While natural, vinegar is very caustic to grass and often results in the type of damage currently seen at this facility,” the DPR said in its news release.

The DPR asks people who witness vandalism at the Patsy T. Mink Central Oahu Regional Park to call 911 if the act is in progress or call park staff at 808-768-6934.

Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii. Email her at michelle.brodervandyke@charter.com.