Vandals have trashed many parts of the newly opened King Abdullah Park in Malaz in Riyadh including its high-tech musical fountain.

Riyadh Gov. Prince Khalid bin Bandar opened the park with much fanfare last week, showcasing the giant fountain and its colorful laser lighting.

Visitors told Arab News the fountain was not working because children had thrown mud into it. Vandals had also broken seats and thrown the pieces around the park. Even flower parts were not spared.

Mohsin Ali Khan, a Riyadh-based accountant, said he was angry at the damage done and urged the city authorities to deploy guards at the park.

Nabeel Nasir, an IT professional in the city, said the police should arrest and punish the perpetrators. “Such punishments will deter miscreants from defacing public property,” Nasir said.

Abdullah Ahmad, who went to the park on Thursday with his family, was disappointed to find it in such a poor state. He was also not able to “enjoy the laser show and dancing musical fountain” after traveling from Wadi Laban to Malaz.

The 318,000-square-meter state-of-the-art park is close to Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium and was built as a venue for heritage exhibitions and recreational activities during the holidays.

It consists of a 12-meter-wide pedestrian corridor, surrounded by lush greenery and illuminated lamps mounted on poles. It opened to young people for two days and families for five days.