Plants worth hundreds of pounds have been ripped up and thrown in a York park's lake weeks after vandals targeted the area.
Cllr Jenny Kent, York Council's Labour environment spokesperson, said the damage at Rowntree Park, near Bishopthorpe Road, was soul-destroying for the volunteers who put in hundreds of hours of work.
The executive member, whose brief includes parks, added the perseverance of volunteers in the face of such setbacks was fantastic after most of the plants were fished out and re-planted.
Labour's Cllr Jane Burton, of Micklegate ward, said York relied on the efforts of volunteers such as the Friends of Rowntree Park and the council would support them in whatever way they could.
It comes after volunteers who look after the park condemned the damage caused by vandals who snapped and pulled apart three rowan trees planted last year.
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The trees were worth between around £80 and £100 each and had been planted in the park's Friends Railed Garden.
A Friends of Rowntree Park spokesperson said it was really upsetting to find the damaged trees on Sunday, September 13.
They added it came as the park had seen a rise in litter and graffiti in recent months.
Speaking after hedge plants were thrown into the park's lake earlier this week, council environment executive member Cllr Kent said the acts of vandalism were incredibly depressing.
Damage caused by vandals in Rowntree Park (Image: Friends of Rowntree Park)
The executive member said: "I struggle to understand the mindset of someone who wants to destroy our parks and green spaces and the selfishness involved, with no thought at all for the hard work and spare time put in by dedicated volunteers for free.
"It's totally unacceptable, the planting next to the lake and improvements to the lake itself were both areas the council and the Friends of Rowntree Park have been discussing and working together on.
"The Friends help make the park the special, community place it is.
"Having given so many hours of their time, this vandalism must be soul-destroying.
"As with all groups looking after our parks, I thank them all for their ongoing commitment on behalf of the whole city."
Volunteers have said they hope the re-planted plants can still flourish, adding they had reported the damage to North Yorkshire Police.
The Friends of Rowntree Park has around 1,300 members.