Vandalized trees on the mend

Deerhill Park in Oak Park is whole again. Fourteen new trees have been planted to replace those destroyed during the past year by vandals. In addition, 19 stolen sprinkler heads and wrecked irrigation equipment in the park have been repaired.

The restoration helps heal three separate incidents of destruction in the community park. On July 21, five trees were broken and destroyed. On Sept. 17, an additional nine trees were torn down, and the irrigation system was vandalized Oct. 8.

On Oct. 11, four Oak Park High School 15-year-olds were arrested after admitting to vandalism, including the destruction of trees in Deerhill Park. Eugene Molnar, senior maintenance supervisor for the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District, which maintains Deerhill Park, said he was not sure if the teens also damaged the irrigation system.

"They broke T's on the pipes and some risers. We had to do cutting, splicing and gluing things together as well as replacing all the sprinkler heads," Molnar said.

Where tulip and golden rain trees once stood in the grassy, southeast corner of the park, new trees are putting down roots. Five golden rain trees have been planted along the sidewalk; three London plane trees line the playground boundary; three jacarandas will grow to shade the area near the pavilion. Three deodar cedars rise to the rear of the jacarandas.

NEW START-The mark of vandals in Deerhill Park in Oak Park, shown below, has been erased. Repairs to irrigation equipment have been completed and new trees, above, have been planted. The four local teens responsible for the damage were arrested last month. All trees planted were 24inch box size, according to Ed Hayduk, Rancho Simi assistant general manager.

The London plane tree is a fastgrowing type of sycamore that Molnar said will provide shade to the playground within five years. The trees have a wide canopy and can reach a height of up to 80 feet.

The yellow flowers of the golden rain trees and the vivid purple blooms on the jacaranda will provide a nice contrast, Molnar said. The rain trees can grow to a height of 30 feet while the jacarandas can surpass 50 feet.

"The jacarandas give a little character around the pavilion," Molnar said.

The cost to replace the trees was $4,175; repair and replacement of the irrigation system ran about $500, Molnar said.

"Hopefully the word has gotten out that this is not acceptable behavior," he said.