The playground equipment, in the park on Horne Avenue, was destroyed in an early morning fire and Town officials say it probably won't be replaced until the fall.

The fire began around 4 a.m. Monday and the apparatus, made of plastic and metal, couldn't be saved.

Destiny Richards, 12, was upset at losing the structure.

"It must have been teenagers because teenagers get bored very easily," Destiny said.

"We heard stuff last (Sunday) night, motorcycles and things. There was a party going on. It was very loud," Destiny said. "I woke up at three o'clock because I had a nightmare. I heard the fire trucks."

When asked what she would say to someone who would burn down playground equipment, Destiny said, "How could they do that, burn that down. Try to find something else to do. Just because they were bored, they don't have to do this."

The structure, which cost between $60,000 and $80,000, was removed by Town staff Monday afternoon.

"Obviously we're very saddened somebody thought it was a good idea to burn down playground equipment," Mayor Steve Parish said.

The police are investigating the matter and "we call on anyone in the neighbourhood" with information to call police or Crime Stoppers, Mayor Parish said.

"It's very important acts of vandalism like this are acted upon," Mayor Parish said. "It's extremely concerning children have lost their playground equipment for the balance of the summer and into the fall."

It's the "busy season" for makers of playground equipment, so "it will take time to replace this," he said. "It's difficult to have done in the near term."

The equipment was covered by insurance, but the mayor said the deductible is $10,000 and that will be paid with tax dollars.

The damaged equipment needed to be removed for safety reasons, said Jeff Stewart, the manager of parks.

Swings, a set of monkey bars and the junior playground equipment weren't damaged and will be left in place, Mr. Stewart said.

"Fortunately, it was only one area," he said, adding the equipment was put in place about 10 years ago. "It's a fairly new structure."

It's been about two to three years since the last piece of playground equipment was burned, Mr. Stewart said. "We were hoping it was a trend that would stay in place."

Durham Regional Police report witnesses saw a white male on a bicycle cycling away from the park on Church Street.

He was approximately 16 years of age and was riding a 20" BMX bicycle. He was wearing a white T-shirt and black shorts, and police investigators would like to speak with him.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the 19 Division Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-888-579-1520, ext. 2511. Anonymous tips can be made to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) and tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.