Following repeated damage, officials warn against driving vehicles on city park grounds
April 16, 2026
By Reader Staff
Sandpoint City Hall is urging the public not to drive their vehicles on public fields, citing five incidents since December of drivers causing “extensive damage and costly repairs” at Hickory Park, Great Northern Field and three times at City Beach.
According to a news release, vehicles in each case “left deep ruts and damaged park infrastructure, creating unsafe and unusable conditions on public fields intended for recreation and community use.”
Repairing the damage caused in all five incidents has cost thousands of dollars, requiring replacement of irrigation lines and sprinkler heads, as well as removal and replacement of damaged turf.
Muddy tire tracks in Great Northern Field. Photo courtesy of city of Sandpoint
The drivers in two of the incidents were caught and charged with misdemeanors.
“These are not harmless joy rides,” city officials stated. “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.”
In particular, torn up turf at Great Northern will delay the availability of the field as it undergoes repairs, affecting sports teams and other users who were already waiting for post-winter conditions to improve.
“The city is asking anyone considering driving onto public fields to think twice. Turf fields are not built to withstand vehicle traffic, especially during wet seasonal conditions when soils are saturated and irrigation systems are vulnerable,” officials stated. “Even a brief drive across a field can result in extensive damage beneath the surface.”
In its release, City Hall underscored that those caught driving their vehicles on public fields will bear the cost of repairs “and legal action is always pursued.”
“Our parks are public assets that belong to the whole community,” the city stated. “Damaging them for a few moments of entertainment is irresponsible, costly, and unfair to everyone else who uses and pays for these spaces.”
Anyone who witnesses suspicious activity or unauthorized vehicles in city parks is encouraged to report it immediately to local law enforcement.
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