Investigators are on the hunt for the person or people responsible for burning a state of the art local playground.
On Saturday, around 9:30 p.m., police say someone set fire to the playground at FDR Park. More than half of the site was destroyed, according to investigators. Two large shade trees were also damaged. The Philadelphia Fire Marshall’s Office determined the blaze was set on purpose and was not accidental.
The $306,000 facility was created in October of 2011, using funds from the city’s capital budget and the FDR Park Trust. Parts of the playground were designed to accommodate children with physical challenges.
“I’m sad,” said 5-year-old Julian Quenen. “We play here every day.”
“It’s just a hateful thing to do,” said Gregory Jacovini, president of Friends of FDR Park. “I can’t imagine what would make someone want to take something away from little kids.”
Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter surveyed the damage on Tuesday.
“This was not just some random act of vandalism,” said Mayor Nutter. “This was an act of evil.”
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Mayor Nutter announced an $11,000 reward for anyone with information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. He also vowed to rebuild the playground and will be receiving plenty of help. Christina Lurie, co-owner of the Philadelphia Eagles, announced the Eagles organization will donate funds to help the rebuilding effort.
“FDR Park is part of our neighborhood, the neighborhood of the Eagles,”’ said Lurie. “The Eagles are absolutely going to step up and get this fixed.”
Councilman Kenyatta Johnson of the 2nd District also pledged $100,000 towards the reconstruction of the playground.”
If you have any information on this incident, please call Philadelphia Police.
