Sixty trees along St. Paul's Shepard Road were destroyed by vandals overnight Thursday, with some of the trees thrown into the Mississippi River, city officials said. In a statement, St. Paul Parks and Recreation said the trees were planted last month over Minnesota Education Association (MEA) break in partnership with local high school students and Tree Trust.

Runners first discovered the scene early Thursday morning: dozens of newly planted trees along a stretch of Shepard Road in downtown St. Paul were either uprooted, damaged or tossed into the Mississippi River in what is being called a “senseless” act of vandalism.

In St. Paul, 60 newly planted trees along Shepard Road were "destroyed and vandalized," with some even being thrown into the Mississippi River. The trees were planted by local high school students who worked with the Tree Trust to help add green to the community.

The St. Paul Parks and Recreation department says some of the trees were thrown into the river. In all, the vandalism caused nearly $40,000 in damages.