"Idiots hooning" around snow-covered parks and reserves in cars are creating eye-sores and unnecessary expenses, which is angering Dunedin residents and the Dunedin City Council.
Resident Doug Pryor said he was furious after finding someone had driven across Prospect Park and chewed up the turf.
"They've been sliding and they've dug it up.
"They're people who think they can do whatever they like without thinking about the consequences.
"This is just another unnecessary expense for a financially over-stretched council."
DCC parks officer Neville Miller said several other parks had been damaged around the city, but Prospect Park appeared to have received the most damage.
The vehicle had left deep gouges in the surface of the field, he said.
"There's been a bit of senseless activity out there - a few parks have been damaged."
Mr Miller said the severity of the damage to the parks had not been assessed.
"Repairs could cost between $50 and $300. If we have to bring in more soil, it's more expensive."
Mr Miller said it was illegal to drive on parks. He urged residents to take the registration number of any vehicle they spotted being driven on parks and to call both the police and the city council.
