The fields at Rotary Republic Park in Portage la Prairie were torn up by vandals over the weekend.

RCMP Community Liaison Officer Constable Sean O'Keefe says they received the report late Saturday evening, or early Sunday morning, of a motorist having torn up the lawns at the park. O'Keefe says they do get more calls of property damage this time of year.

"Especially with the holiday coming up here, there probably was a lot of thoughts of mischief taking place. We can't really say for certain that it would be directly linked to Halloween, but we do see an unfortunate increase in property damage this time of year. These types of incidents happen throughout a lot of parking lots here in town, the PCU Centre is prominent, Walmart, Rona, the mall parking lot."

He explains what something like this does to the community.

"We want to know who's responsible for this. The damage caused to the park sends fees up for people who make use of the park during the spring, summer, and fall months. They have to pay service fees and team fees to make use of it, and also the property management had to maintain the property. It's a very large unnecessary nuisance."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the RCMP. The Portage Regional Recreational Authority is offering a $1500 reward for any information that leads to charges being laid.