PALO ALTO — Authorities are investigating a case of vandalism at a Palo Alto park as a hate crime against African Americans.

Some areas of Heritage Park on the 300 block of Homer Avenue were defaced with blue spray paint, likely over the weekend, Palo Alto police said in a statement Tuesday.

“Of most concern was a short sentence that included a racial epithet written in about five-inch tall letters on a concrete curb set in the ground that separates grass from dirt,” police said. “The epithet was a racial slur directed at African Americans.”

The crime was reported just after 10 a.m. Sunday. A man told police he was walking in the park when he noticed blue spray paint near a playground area.

“Officers observed blue spray paint in several areas,” including the area with the slur, on the ground and on a tree, police said.

“On a nearby wall with decorative tiles, there was more blue spray paint in the form of male genitalia,” police said..

In addition, officers found 15 to 20 empty cans of alcohol that were spray painted. The cap from a can of blue spray paint was also collected as evidence.

A public works crew “promptly removed the paint,” police said.

“While it is not known for certain, police believe it is likely the crime occurred overnight from Saturday into Sunday,” police said. “There is no suspect information at this time.”

Anyone with information related to the case can call the police department’s 24-hour dispatch center at 650-329-2413. Anonymous tips can be e-mailed to paloalto@tipnow.org or sent via text message or voice mail to 650-383-8984.

Check back for updates.