Vandals Suspected In Fire That Destroyed NJ Playground

WOODBRIDGE, NJ(CBSNewYork) -- The playground at the Lynn Crest Elementary School in the Colonia section of Woodbridge, NJ was burned to the ground. The jungle-gym was set on fire over the weekend, according to police.

CBS 2's Christine Sloan spoke with a distraught park-goer who had planned on playing on the playground.

"I think it's bad," he said.

His mother said that the playground was one of the things that her son loved about his new neighborhood.

"We just moved into the area, it's the first playground we saw, he loved coming here," explained Kelly Killian.

The fire started in a trash can and quickly spread throughout the playground, said police.

Authorities have asked anyone who witnessed the fire to call them with information, they have even promised lenience to the person responsible if they come forward.

Residents told CBS 2 that the playground was opened in the fall of 2011. The $90,000 playground was even equipped with handicapped accessible equipment for special needs children, the entire community came together to build it.

"It was a great community effort. Parents contacted us and we got the whole thing going. It was a great grass-roots effort, and the whole thing is wrecked by a terrible act," said Mayor John McCormac.

Mayor McCormac said that the town plans to rebuild, no matter what it costs.

Police told CBS 2 that if a juvenile is found to be responsible their parents will not be charged.

Why would somebody burn down a children's playground? Share your thoughts in our comments section below...