If you were headed to North Georgia to see the colorful fall leaves, you can thank vandals for a possible change of plans.
The U.S. Forest service has shut down part of popular leaf viewing destination because vandals spray-painted "symbols and explicit images on the park's Johns Mountain Overlook deck outside of Gainesville," the Associated Press reported.
The agency posted photos to Facebook on Friday showing a wooden platform covered in white spray paint overlooking the mountainous North Georgia landscape at Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests.
» Some of the best places and times to see leaves change in Georgia
"We are sad to announce that vandalism means that Johns Mountain Overlook Road will be closed indefinitely. (The extent of this vandalism damage is much greater than pictured here, but is too graphic to share)," the post states.
“When senseless damage like this vandalism and destruction of public facilities occurs, it takes away from our capacity to make progress addressing other critical maintenance needs,” the Forest Service said.
» 5 small towns near Atlanta that offer more than just leaves changing colors
The Facebook post also encouraged park-goers to help keep the forest clean. During Conasauga River Watershed Clean Up Day, it said, volunteers removed 49 bags of trash and 125 tires from the Chattahoochee National Forest.
It's unclear if authorities are investigating, AP reported.
About the Author
