The Sports Association of the City of Ogulin had to ban the use of the small-sided football pitch on Bolnička Street until further notice due to daily and increasingly brutal vandalism.
The small-sided football pitch on Bolnička Street (Vijenac Ive Marinkovića) in Ogulin has been closed until further notice as of today. The decision was announced on August 3, 2026, by the Sports Association of the City of Ogulin, which manages the facility, as a direct consequence of frequent and deliberate destruction of property.
The latest incident, which appears to have been the last straw, involved a football goal that was not merely damaged but broken into multiple pieces. What is particularly concerning is that its parts were scattered up to 500 meters away, which, according to the Association, clearly indicates a deliberate act rather than accidental damage or child's play.
The Sports Association of the City of Ogulin, via its Facebook page, states that this is not an isolated case. Their experience points to a daily series of destructive behaviors that threaten safety and destroy shared property.
"Unfortunately, this is not an isolated case. Every day we encounter cycling and riding scooters on artificial turf pitches, walking dogs on artificial turf, tearing protective coverings off walls, breaking bottles and leaving glass on the pitches, and destroying sports equipment and property that we all finance together."
They emphasize that their staff clean up daily, collect broken glass, and repair the damage to ensure a safe and quality space for children, athletes, and all citizens. Because of irresponsible individuals, they stress, everyone else who wants to use the pitch properly suffers.
In an exceptionally sharp and emotional post, the Sports Association sent a strong message to the perpetrators, highlighting that the problem is not just the breaking of equipment but a complete lack of respect for the community.
"This is not a decision we wanted to make, but the safety of users and the preservation of property must come first. To those who, out of boredom or malice, destroy what belongs to everyone, we can only say this, the problem is not that you break a goal or the wall protection. The problem is that you show complete disrespect for your own city, for the children who play here, and for all citizens who finance the restoration of what you destroy with their money. That's not courage, that's not fun, and that's not mischief. That's pure vandalism and a lack of responsibility. Finally, a big 'thank you' to these 'benefactors' whose behavior has made it possible for the pitch to be closed and denied to all those who use it as intended."
The closure of the pitch means that children, recreational athletes, and families will be left without an important place for play and socializing. The Sports Association calls on all citizens of Ogulin to take care of shared property and, if they notice any form of vandalism, to report it to the relevant authorities without delay.
