TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — A west park was hit by vandalism Friday. Visitors to Lawrence Park in recent days may have noticed several missing or damaged trees.

Some park visitors, like Vanessa Ybarra, tell me they aren’t sure why someone would damage several trees at Lawrence Park, 6777 S. Mark Road. Half of the damaged trees had to be cut down to the stump as a result of the incident.

“It’s sad because normally people here are nice and it’s very quiet and safe,” Ybarra said.

Ybarra says she jogs in Lawrence Park every day and adds she has never noticed anything suspicious. Maintenance crews are on site at the parks until early afternoon, socializing with visitors.

“I have to be aware of my surroundings now,” Ybarra said.

Callie Norton, community engagement coordinator for Pima County Parks and Recreation, says six trees were damaged in the east parking lot.

Parks and Recreation in Pima County

“It appears they used their body weight to break off many branches and even remove some trees entirely,” Norton said.

Maintenance crews were able to save half of the trees by trimming broken branches. The other half were cut down to the stump and will be replaced.

Jacqueline Aguilar | KGUN 9

“When our park staff leave their shifts, we can’t keep a close eye on what’s going on in the evenings,” Norton said. “So we really appreciate having our citizens be able to act as the eyes and ears in our parks when they’re not staffed.”

Ybarra says she enjoys training at Lawrence Park and appreciates the maintenance team’s efforts in fixing the damage.

“This is basically your backyard, so you don’t want anyone trashing your house,” Ybarra said. “This is like your home, so treat it like your home and even be respectful of the trees.”