A $5,000 reward is being offered to anyone who offers a tip leading to the arrest of the arsonist who set fire to and destroyed a popular Mississauga playground last month.

Councillor Carolyn Parrish said Tuesday the community has rallied together to pony up the reward for information leading to the arrest of the person (or people) responsible for setting fire to the Malton Adventure Playground, near Derry Rd. E. and Goreway Dr., in the early morning of Nov. 19.

“The police have discerned the burn was arson but found no normal clues like fingerprints or footprints,” she said in a statement. “Enough time has passed since the fire that the perpetrator(s) may have talked to members of the community. A reward may lead the police back to the culprit(s). We want to find the person(s) so it doesn't happen again.”

The city and Malton community will be investing about $300,000 into rebuilding the “extremely loved and creative playground,” Parrish said.

Mississauga firefighters estimated the damage at around $70,000. They were called to douse the flames at around 2:30 a.m.

Inspired by the wooden castle playground in Toronto’s High Park, Malton’s playground features one-of-a-kind park equipment and unique, handcrafted carvings.

In the centre of the playground are two 4.5-metre castles made of all-natural pine. Magnificent white oak sculptures of a dragon, farm animals, a turtle, a princess, a wizard and a treasure chest, handcrafted by retired school teacher Jim Menken and his son, Cameron, are scattered around the playground.

Parrish said the structure cost about $800,000 to build.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Canada Aerospace, Newton’s Grove School and Westwood Square have contributed to the offered reward, Parrish said.

Anyone with information can call police at 905-453-2121 , ext. 2133 or Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

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