Police are investigating after a fire badly damaged a play structure in the city’s east end.

On Monday morning at around 2 a.m. firefighters and police were called to Peter Misersky Park at 35 Mountford Dr. in response to a playground that was set on fire.

The playground area held two play structures: a senior playground for older kids and a junior playground. It was the junior playground that went up in flames.

This playground was part one of 18 play structures that were upgraded by the City of Guelph last year.

Heather Flaherty, Guelph general manager of parks and recreation, said the playground structure was new. It hadn't even experienced a full season of play.

"It's just disappointing that this would happen to a brand new structure," she said, adding this act takes away from the children who enjoy playing at that space.

A family who came out to the site on Monday morning— a two-year-old and her grandmother — said they visit the site daily to play on the structure. Now they'll have to head further away because the the senior playground is still a little too big for the little girl.

Flaherty said city staff will be at the site Monday to survey the damage to see if anything can be salvaged. She said the city would likely be able to speak to replacement cost estimates later on Monday.

The playground will need to be replaced, but that won't happen in 2019, she said.

Police officers are asking anyone with information about this fire to contact the investigating officer by email at zmartin@guelphpolice.ca. Anonymous tips can also be sent to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.