PINE TOWNSHIP -- A quaint covered bridge was built about two years ago for the enjoyment of people riding bicycles or walking along the Calumet Bike Trail in northern Porter County.

But people, especially those with young children, need to close their eyes now when they pass through it. Graffiti, most of it profane and sexual in nature, covers most of the bridge.

"That was a nice bridge," said 17-year-old Joe Peterson, who lives nearby. "Now, there's not even an inch on it that doesn't have graffiti."

Peterson said he rides his bicycle down the trail and goes for walks. His mother, Christine, and several other mothers in the area use the trail to exercise. But the consensus is the bridge has become "garbage."

The Porter County Parks and Recreation Department, which maintains the trail and bridge, is fighting a losing battle to remove the graffiti.

"Unfortunately, as fast as we do it ... within a few days, we get new markings," Parks Superintendent Ed Melendez said.

Melendez said the department is responsible for maintaining property across Porter County with a staff of only himself and one other person. And the department doesn't have unlimited money to spend on paint and other supplies because of the county government's budget crunch.

But the department should be able to hire five college students to work this summer. Melendez expects the removal of graffiti at the bridge to be one of the first projects they tackle when they start a few weeks from now.

Melendez said he hopes there is enough staff to visit and monitor the bridge and trail on a regular basis. But the bridge, located near U.S. 12 and U.S. 520, is difficult to see, so vandals have found it to be an easy target.

"It's a hard one to keep up with," Melendez said.

Porter County Crime Stoppers Coordinator Ryan Jones said he is considering featuring the vandalism at the bridge as Crime of the Week and offering a cash reward for information leading to the arrest of the vandals.

Peterson said if he sees juveniles vandalizing the property, he will make sure he or the juveniles' parents call police. He even said he'd be interested in being part of an effort to keep the bridge clean.

Melendez said anyone interested in volunteering their time to remove graffiti or anyone wishing to donate paint or other supplies can contact the Parks Department at (219) 465-3586.