Lisle’s Kingston Park Playground Burned Down, Arson Suspected

The playground in Lisle’s Kingston Park went up in flames on Tuesday of last week in what Lisle Park District and DuPage County Sheriff’s Office authorities are calling a likely arson. 

According to the Suburban Life, a fire was set on Tuesday, Aug. 13 at around 4:40 a.m., leaving the playground (installed in 2003 at a cost of $20,000) completely unusable.

Replacing the playground could now cost up to $30,000 due to modern costs, the Chicago Tribune reports.

“It’s so unfortunate that this happened,” said Lisle Park District director Dan Garvy. “It’s a real bummer. It’s a loss of property, but it’s also a loss of opportunity. For the next several weeks to several months, that park is going to be without a playground.

“There’s a long process that we need to follow, and it’s just unfortunate that one callous, ignorant act is going to result in months of putting the pieces back together." 

Indeed, according to the Suburban Life, the playground will likely be closed until spring.

"It's sad, because this is a safe neighborhood and it makes you wonder what's the next thing that will happen," neighbor Stephanie Paige told the Tribune. "My heart is broken, because this is a beautiful park."

Garvy said that investigators found little compelling evidence at the scene and are hoping for a lead based on word-of-mouth. A letter will be mailed on Wednesday of this week to residents near the park, explaining the event and asking people to be vigilant.

Anyone with a tip should call the DuPage County Sheriff's Office at 630-407-2400.

Read more and see photos at the Chicago Tribune and Suburban Life websites.