Vandals cause hundreds of dollars in damage to a paved bike trail and it isn't bikes that investigators say plowed over signs and a bench.

A trail manager for the Chippewa River State Trail says someone in a large truck illegally drove on the trail ramming into anything in its way. Terry Mesch says this isn't the first time there's been trouble on the usually peaceful trail.

The sound of rushing water is about the only sound along the trails on a cloudy afternoon. The rain may have scared most bikers off, but, Becky Richardson says it's the quiet the draws most people in.

"It's so peaceful. You can see turtles, deer, turkey," she says.

But, lately it's a different sound that has Richardson with her guard up. She says ATVs are taking over the area.

"It's my understanding they're not supposed to be there. They're raping the land," Richardson tells us.

The land is owned by Xcel Energy. The company says ATVs are not allowed. Mesch is the trail manager of the Pepin County portion of the Chippewa River State Trail. He says because of the remote location of this section of the trail, it's hard to regulate. It's in the far corner of Dunn County, but out of Pepin County's jurisdiction.

"I always have a little heartbreak when I see damage on the trail. Pepin county spent lots of money on it and the local people love it," Mesch says.

He says the most recent damage came when a truck drove down the trail, took out eight traffic signs and a bench. That truck caused $800 in damage. Now the signs are back up, and the bench has been pieced back together, but, Mesch worries about future destruction. Richardson wants something done about the illegal ATV trails near the usually peaceful trail.

"it's just not a safe situation to be down there,” she says.

Mesch asks anyone with information on the recent vandalism, to call him at (715) 672-5709 or the Dunn County Sheriff's Department at (715) 232-1348.

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In a written statement, Xcel Energy tells NewsCenter 13:

In general, the public is allowed to use this area for “non-motorized, non-consumptive” recreational use. However, more than 200 unauthorized uses were documented in the property inspection, including 96 permanent deer stands, 57 trash/dumping sites, 43 off-road vehicle access points, 17 off-road vehicle erosion areas and six permanent structures.The off-road vehicle erosion sites include areas with rutting at least three feet deep and significant amounts of erosion.

Unfortunately, the actions of some are degrading this resource for others and that is why Xcel Energy is working on a plan to address these issues.