Toronto police say they are investigating after anti-Muslim graffiti was found in an Etobicoke park Sunday morning.

Mike Yakhni, who lives next to Dennis Flynn Park, said he was walking his dog around 7:30 a.m. when he noticed the writing on a sign at the park.

When he got closer, he noticed what the words were. He called 311, and then went home to get tape and returned to put tape over the writing.

“The park is really busy with kids,” he said in an interview with the Star. “I didn’t want the kids to see it.”

He said while he’s previously seen vandalism in the park, located near The West Mall and Burnhamthorpe Rd., it’s never been to “that extent.”

“I thought it was crazy. It was not something you want to see especially with how many kids [can be] in the park,” Yakhni said.

Toronto police Const. Alex Li said police received the call at around 9:30 a.m. and arrived on scene about an hour later.

“It is going to be an ongoing and active investigation,” Li said. “There was certain words that were used that might trigger hate-crime related issues, but we’re not gonna label it as such until the investigators are confident that they’ve got enough evidence as to who wrote it [or] if there was some type of group behind it.”

“The anti-Muslim graffiti found in Dennis Flynn Park is abhorrent and an example of religious hatred that must absolutely be condemned,” Mayor John Tory said in a statement.

He added that his office, along with parks staff and Deputy Mayor Stephen Holyday, who represents Etobicoke Centre, are working to clean up the graffiti.

Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward, as there doesn’t seem to be any cameras in the area, Li said. Anyone with information can contact Toronto police 22 Division or Crime Stoppers anonymously.

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With files from Rhianna Jackson-Kelso Sherina Harris is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Star's radio room in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @sherinaharris

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