Village of Ephraim officials are begging you to keep your paint brushes off the area surrounding the famous Anderson Park warehouse.

The building, which houses the Hardy Gallery, has been a beacon for graffiti since boaters began writing their names on it in the 1880s to document their arrival. According to village officials, the problem now is tourists are leaving their mark in other spots around Anderson Dock if they cannot squeeze their inscription on the building’s brown and technicolored walls. At last month’s board meeting, Village Administrator Brent Bristol shared that the fire boat was graffitied, falling in line with the rocks and concrete around the building. Village President Mike McCutcheon shared his anger with the board and requested that the Physical Facilities and Utilities Committee and the Community Protection Committee look into how they can monitor, police, and ultimately punish those participating in the act.

The board admitted the substantial investment that would have to be made in the upcoming budget to change the public’s behavior, especially since the internet is not strong enough for security cameras to do the job. Having graffiti police for up to four months of the year and daily cleaning of the graffiti were among the ideas entertained by the board. Bristol told the board that a clean slate and the request for people not to graffiti in specific spaces should be a part of all proposals. It is not unlike what happens at Abbey Road Studios in London, where its famous walls are subject to millions of people leaving their marks on their outer wall, only to be painted over approximately once a month. 

The Ephraim Village Board will meet again on October 11th to provide a new update on graffiti abatement on Anderson Dock and to also discuss its Class A alcohol ordinance, its recent study performed by contractor AECOM on its roads, and the 2023 budget. The meeting will start in person and online at 7 p.m.