Vancouver Park Board is looking into its third act of vandalism in the last month after someone sawed the tops off dozens of trees at Langara Golf Course.
Up to 50 juvenile trees — sequoia, West Coast cedar, Douglas fir, Fraser fir and alder — were damaged over the last four weeks, according to a park board press release.
Up to 50 juvenile trees — sequoia, West Coast cedar, Douglas fir, Fraser fir and alder — at Langara Golf Course were damaged over the last four weeks. Photo Dan Toulgoet
“The trees, which provide protection from errant golf balls to people walking the trails at Langara, as well as shade and habitat for birds and animals, are unlikely to recover from the damage and will have be replaced,” the release reads.
“Damaging trees intentionally is a Park Board bylaw offense,” the board said. “The Board intends to seek stiff penalties for whoever is found responsible.”
Anyone who saw any suspicious activity, or saw someone with a saw, is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Earlier this month, several trees were vandalized near Spanish Banks.
The eight trees at the foot of Tolmie Street had their tops sawed off and limbs removed. In that case the trees will likely survive the damage but in the future will only grow outwards and not get any taller.
And just last week the large grass field at Vanier Park sustained significant damage in what police and the park board described as a ridiculous joyride caused between $5,000 and $10,000 in damage.
“They were up on the grass and they caused a significant amount of damage,” VPD Const. Jason Doucette told the Courier. “There are animals in the area there, there are people out at the park running at night. It’s very irresponsible.”
With files from John Kurucz
