PLAYGROUND FIRE
A playhouse inspired by the wooden castle in High Park was torched Monday,
Peel Regional Police and Mississauga firefighters are investigating a suspicious fire Monday that destroyed part of a new Mississauga playground.
The Malton Adventure Playground, at 3430 Derry Rd. E. just footsteps from Paul Coffey Arena and Park, which has been open to the public for a little more than a year, went up in flames, according to Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services.
Platoon Chief Sean Bradley said fire crews responded to a “fully involved playground structure fire” around 2:30 a.m.
Firefighters were eventually able to douse the flames, but not before the blaze caused an estimated $70,000 in damage.
Inspired by the wooden castle playground in Toronto’s High Park, built by television personality and home improvement contractor Mike Holmes, Malton’s playground features one-of-a-kind park equipment and unique, handcrafted carvings.
In the centre of the playground are two 15-foot castles made of all-natural pine.
Magnificent white oak sculptures of a dragon, farm animals, a turtle, princess, wizard and treasure chest, handcrafted by retired school teacher Jim Menken and his son, Cameron, are scattered around the playground.
Mississauga Ward 5 Councillor Carolyn Parrish, who spearheaded the playground project, was saddened and angry when she learned of the fire.
“I am furious,” she said. “Kids and their parents love that playground. They respect it.
“It hasn’t been vandalized or damaged once until this.”
Parrish said the structure cost about $800,000 to build.
A large chunk of the popular playground is now charred, including one of the castle towers.
A duffel bag and briefcase was found on the playground when emergency crews responded.
Anita Bukhara, who lives in the area, said she took her 4- year-old son to the playground “at least a dozen times” since this past summer.
“I’m heartbroken,” she said. “Hopefully it can be fixed.”
Anyone with information can call police at 905-453-2121 , ext. 2133.