Really? Now vandals are apparently burning playground equipment in Minot? It's hard to imagine, but that appears to be the level some folks have sunk to in recent days.
More than $20,000 in damage was done to playground equipment at Minot's Riverside Park, tucked away along the Souris River's edge in northwest Minot. An investigation continues into the Sunday night blaze. Police say they have no clear suspect yet, but are investigating the possibility of arson.
We don't want to jump to conclusions and we're no fire experts, but we wonder how plastic playground equipment could start on fire by itself. Lightning?
We're never surprised but always disappointed when incidents like this occur, simply because they are so random and obviously serve no useful purpose to the public. What's the point in burning playground equipment? Is someone trying to make a statement? Is there a group against playground facilities? We don't get it.
The costly loss comes at a time when the Minot Park District is already struggling to recover from the flood of 2011. The last thing the Park District needed was another $20,000 in expenses. Thankfully, the St. Joseph's Community Foundation announced Tuesday that it would provide funds to replace the damaged equipment. The contribution was indeed a welcome gift to the park district.
Those responsible for the fire should note the contrast between their actions and the resulting solution provided by the foundation. Who has better served their community?