Vandals Scorch Children's Playground

A fiery act of vandalism is ruining summertime rituals for families in Lee's Summit.

For nearly 10 years, parents have been sitting on a park bench in South Lea Park, from where they could watch their children romp around on the playground.

But not anymore. Someone burned down the playground earlier this week.

The fire destroyed the entire playground that had been open to everyone.

Miles Ward, 9, was one of the children who used to play there. He said he was "really sad" that one of his favorite places was destroyed.

"I mean, it's just amazing," said Monica Ward, Miles' mother. "There are day cares that come here to bring their kids to play. There's families all around that have kids."

The fire was so big that it scorched trees next to the playground.

Neighbors said this wasn't the first time that the park was the victim of arson. Several years ago, vandals set fire to a portion of the playground equipment.

Parents said they don't understand why someone would do such a thing.

"We're watching families drive up and their mouths are just dropping for those that don't even know that this happened. We're hoping it's going to be replaced real soon," Monica Ward told KMBC's Martin Augustine. "It's just sad that somebody gets joy out of lighting a park on fire."

Anyone with information about the fire can call the Lee's Summit Police Department or the Crime Stoppers TIPS hot line at 816-474-TIPS.

The playground area in South Lea Park was one of the oldest in Lee's Summit.

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• Lee's
• Summit
• playground
• fire
• vandals
• park
• arson