Vandals destroyed a bridge along the Raleigh greenway in the days before Christmas.
The wooden bridge, part of the Walnut Creek Trail near the intersection with New Hope Road, was blocked by police tape Tuesday. It's unclear how long that section of greenway will be impassible.
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According to the Raleigh Fire Department, the damage was caused by someone playing around on the bridge, and the damage could be as much as $20,000.
King and Latonya Stubbs walk the trail often and were surprised to find the bridge out on the morning of Christmas Eve.
"We see different backgrounds and different people that walk that trail, and we meet different people and we see different walks of life," King Stubbs said, "so we hope that the bridge can be fixed within a month or two."
Graham Holmes told WRAL News he uses the trail for running and biking. Like many others in the neighborhood, he is left wondering why.
"What purpose did it serve?" he said. "It's a shame that someone would do something that would deny so many people the pleasure of being out in the great outdoors here in Raleigh."
King Stubbs had this Christmas message for those behind the fire:
"God bless the people who have did it," he said. "And I hope they recognize that they have messed up the trail for the bikers, the nature for the deer, the squirrels, the beautiful atmosphere that brings this community together."
The Raleigh Police Department said they are not releasing any information on suspects or persons of interest, adding they are determining if the fire will be investigated as arson or property damage.