A revered religious statue in a Tucson park — beheaded by an unknown vandal — has been restored.
The vandalism at Garden of Gethsemane/Felix Lucero Park, on the banks of the Santa Cruz River at West Congress Street, apparently took place in March. A figure of a disciple was decapitated, and the feet were removed from a sculpture of the Baby Jesus.
“The park is a Tucson landmark, and we wanted to make the repairs as soon as possible,” said Peg Weber, parks administrator with the Tucson Parks and Recreation Department.
Artist Greg Schoon restored the disciple figure, and work will continue to repair the feet on the Jesus figure, Weber said. She estimated that the cost of the restoration work will total “less than $5,000.”
“One thing that has been incredibly gratifying is that groups have stepped up to donate money to help with the restoration,” Weber said.
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The park, which was closed following discovery of the vandalism, was reopened about two weeks ago.
No suspects have been identified in connection with the vandalism, Weber said.
She said all of the park’s statues were beheaded in an incident more than 20 years ago. Incidents of vandalism at the site have been relatively rare and minor in the past few years until the recent incident, she said.
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