A pattern of vandalism targeting young trees along the riverfront in St. Paul, Minnesota, has cost the city upward of $100,000 in damages, with Parks and Recreation officials now questioning how long they can continue replacing trees that are repeatedly targeted.
The latest incident was reported over the Fourth of July weekend at Lower Landing Park off of Shepard Road, where about a dozen saplings were damaged.
“We were alerted to some vandalism in Lower Landing Park by neighbors, and as you can see behind me, there are multiple trees vandalized,” said Andy Rodriguez, director of St. Paul Parks and Recreation. “It was around 10-plus trees this go-around, and in terms of damage, when you talk about the labor, planting, materials, it’s significant. It’s over $20,000 in damage.”…