One man has been arrested in connection with a fire that destroyed a cherished High Park playground.

Jamie Bell Adventure Playground, the one-of-a-kind wooden play structure in High Park, was set on fire in the early hours of Mar. 17.

Emergency crews responded to a call in the area of Bloor St. W. and Parkside Dr. around 3 a.m.

They found the structure engulfed in flames.

Christian Kupiecki, 19, of Toronto, faces charges of arson and attempt to obstruct justice.

Built in 1999, the playground was named after the late community activist Jamie Bell who came up with the idea for it.

“This was much more than a playground. This community came up with the idea for it, put their money into it, designed and built it. Many of the children were involved in designing and building it,” said Sarah Doucette, councillor for Parkdale-High Park.

The community is collecting donations to finance a rebuilt park. Canadian Tire has chipped in $50,000 toward the cause, according to Doucette.

Kupiecki is scheduled to appear in court May 1 at 3 p.m.

With files from Victoria Ptashnick