SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — The City of Spokane Valley is left with questions after 18 trees were vandalized along the Appleway Trail, causing close to $9,000 worth of damages.
More than 100 trees were planted by SpoCanopy in celebration of the Expo 74 celebrations back in May.
SpoCanopy is a collaborative program between the City of Spokane Urban Forestry and the Lands Council that works to ensure everyone in the region has access to trees and green spaces. They aim to ensure every neighborhood in Spokane has close to 30% canopy cover by 2030.
The City was notified about the vandalism on Monday morning, after they found 18 of those 100 trees snapped in half over the weekend.
Jill Smith, the communication manager for the City of Spokane Valley, says that the whole situation is disappointing for the morale and future of the community.
"The vandalism certainly does not represent the Spokane Valley community and the residents. Obviously it's upsetting," Smith said.
The Spokane Conservation District says that each of the trees planted cost around $500, which means that whoever came and damaged the trees caused closed to $9000 in damages.
Smith says a police report has been filed, but she isn't sure if new trees are going to be planted to replace the vandalized ones.
The next tree planting for SpoCanopy is scheduled for October 18 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the areas through Glass Park and 627 East Heroy Avenue in Spokane Valley.