This pavilion at Sparkman Park was damaged Friday morning during a strong thunderstorm. | Clif Knight

A windstorm caused extensive property damage in Sparkman Park early Friday morning.

Pine trees were uprooted or snapped into and two of them fell on a pavilion, causing its roof to collapse. The same structure was destroyed in a previous storm and had to be rebuilt.

The damage occurred in an area the size of a football field on the west side of the park.

A Parks & Recreation employee said 15 to 20 trees came down in what he said could’ve been a microburst. Trees were not affected in other areas of the park.

“It’s a big mess and it’s going to take a lot of time and effort to get it back in shape,” he stated.

Mayor Don Hall said the property is insured and cleanup will be held up until an adjuster accesses the damage.

“I’ll get with Frank (Miller) and look at what our options are as far as salvaging the trees in concerned,” he said. “This has happened before and it resulted in the city being left with the job of cleaning up a big mess.”

Hall said the storm’s wind also overturned recycling carts that had been placed at curbside for pickup and left litter strewn in some neighborhoods.