(KAIR)--The City of Atchison is asking for the public's help after vandals damaged the playground fence at Jackson Park over the weekend.

According to a release from the city, the fence around the small playground had recently sustained minor damage, and the city had contracted with a specialized welder to make repairs. Staff checked the site Sunday evening, but when the welder arrived Monday morning, crews found a much larger section of the fence broken, beyond what could be repaired on site.

The city says the damage will now require a more expensive and time-consuming process to remove and replace the entire fence section.

In the meantime, the playground remains open, though the city is asking parents and guardians to keep children away from the broken fence posts, which have been covered with cones.

The city is asking anyone with information on who may be responsible to contact the Atchison Police Department, saying vandalism to shared public spaces hurts the whole community.