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Vandals damage playground at Denver park

Posted at 6:39 PM, Jun 03, 2019
and last updated 2019-06-03 21:11:19-04

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DENVER — Happy, playful screams are the norm on any given playground in the summertime. But what Christina Cimino's son, Cylas, discovered Sunday at Paco Sanchez Park is not.

"Our son comes off the slides and the climbing area inside there, and he was literally pitch black," Cimino said. "It looks like he had rolled around in someone's fireplace."

Saturday night, someone lit on fire part of the big climbing and slide tower. The playground has only been open for a year.

"It's upsetting," she said. "Kids should be able to come out here, hang out, have a great time."

Fencing and signs are now up to keep kids off the structure.

A Denver park ranger was out Monday taking pictures of the damage. Denver Parks and Rec said the structure would be closed for at least two to three weeks, possibly more.

"There are kids everywhere, and it's very, very upsetting," Cimino said. "It almost puts a bad taste in your mouth."

But Cylas still loves the park, and his mom expects him back on the climbing tower before summer's end.

"He got excited coming over today," she said. "I had to remind him because of that mess."