Wrangell log painted at City Park

City park is a popular spot for locals and tourists to enjoy the outdoors. The park is also the site of some artwork that is equally popular amongst locals and tourists. A large log, with the town's name carved into its side, sits on the park's beach. According to Wrangell resident and photographer Charity Hommel, a group of carvers and chainsaw artists decided to etch "Wrangell" into the log. They did not ask for anybody's permission to do so, she said, but the log has become a staple of sites to see around town.

"Folks have come to enjoy using it as a backdrop for photos," Hommel said.

Unfortunately, sometime on April 15, unknown parties painted over the Wrangell log with dark blue paint. Photographs of the log garnered negative reactions on social media, with many Wrangell residents expressing disappointment and anger that somebody would vandalize the art piece. Police Chief Doug McCloskey was made aware of the log being painted the morning of April 16. Hommel said that she went to look at the log in person, and said she does not believe this was not a work of intentional vandalism.

"I went out there yesterday, and I discovered that it wasn't spray painted," she said. "It was painted with brushes, it looks like an oil-based paint ... I don't think it was rude vandalism. It was just some kids with a bucket of paint decided to decorate it."

Whether vandalism or an attempt to add to the artwork, Hommel said that she and her family decided to carry the torch to restore the log. She and her husband, Joe Hommel, will be looking into how best to remove the paint. Some of the ways they are considering include sanding, power washing, or lightly chainsawing over the painted areas. Nothing will be done until after Easter weekend, she said.