The Halifax Public Gardens have shut down for the day on Tuesday morning, after it was discovered someone had broken in and caused damage to the popular city destination.
A spokesperson from Halifax Regional Municipality said about 30 trees were damaged throughout the park — possibly with a small axe or hatchet.
Bark was stripped off the trunks of trees, some of which were “historical trees.”
“Some of the trees may be saved, based on the damage done,” wrote spokesperson Maggie-Jane Spray in an e-mail.
“Staff are making every effort to maximize the chances of saving as many trees as possible, but the number of trees lost is not known at this time.”
Staff will now monitor the health of the trees over the coming months.
“We are deeply disheartened by this senseless act,” read a tweet from Halifax Public Gardens in the morning.
The tweet also said there is an ongoing police investigation into the incident on Spring Garden Road.
— with a file from Rebecca Lau