SANDPOINT — The city is reminding residents to keep their motor vehicles off park fields after numerous instances have caused damage this year. 

Sandpoint officials said there have been five since December, with the majority taking place at City Beach Park. City officials said that each incident has resulted in thousands of dollars' worth of repairs to fix irrigation lines or replace the torn-up grass. 

“These are not harmless joy rides,” officials said in a press release sent out Thursday. “The damage left behind has real consequences for taxpayers, for families and park visitors, and for the local teams and community members who rely on these fields.” 

The most recent incident occurred at Great Northern Field causing significant damage to grass. City officials said that the damage will delay the field’s availability further into the spring while staff work to repair the damage. 

City officials said two of the five drivers have been caught by law enforcement and asked residents to report any suspicious or unauthorized vehicles in city parks immediately. 

“Our parks are public assets that belong to the whole community,” Sandpoint officials said. “Damaging them for a few moments of entertainment is irresponsible, costly, and unfair to everyone else who uses and pays for these spaces.”