Digging In At MacArthur Park: Kids Replant After Vandals Uproot Dozens Of Fruit Trees

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Police Thursday sought the public's help in finding vandals who apparently uprooted dozens of fruit trees planted by a group of Southland students in MacArthur Park.

KNX 1070's Margaret Carrero reports the act of vandalism hasn't stopped the students from digging in their heels - and in the park's soil - to help make a first-of-its-kind urban fruit trail a reality.

The apparent theft of between 25 to 30 fruit trees occurred Monday night at the park at 2230 W 6th Street, according to LAPD Rampart Division.

Austin Young, the co-founder of nonprofit Fallen Fruit, which partnered with Heart of Los Angeles to make the fruit trail a reality, said he couldn't believe anyone would destroy a trail that was intended to provide shade and year-round fresh fruit for the community.

"I don't even think I have words for it," Young said.

LAPD community relations officials immediately began working with the group to replant the trees following the theft.

Young said the nonprofit has been advocating for fruit rather than ornamental trees in public for ten years and are thrilled to see the project come alive - even in the face of adversity.

"To see it manifest itself in this way is just incredible," he said.

Anyone with information is asked to call LAPD Rampart at (213) 484-3400.