Three ‘spring animals’ stolen from Lions Field Park

By James Grob, jgrob@charlescitypress.com

The chicken, the turtle and the rhinoceros looked a little lonely Monday.

The Charles City Park and Recreation Department reported Monday morning that three pieces of playground equipment had been stolen. Three of the six “spring animals” at Lions Field Park were taken.

Parks and Rec Director Tyler Mitchell said that the animals, which are rides for small children, went missing, with the springs they sit on still in the ground.

“It seems like someone took their time and unbolted them and took them away,” said Mitchell, who said that he didn’t know what the items could be used for, and doubted they were worth selling.

“Without the springs, they’re just decoration pieces,” he said. “If they have springs in the ground, I guess they could use them.”

Two of the three missing animals are a buffalo and a hippopotamus, although Mitchell couldn’t recall what the third missing animal was.

The Charles City Police Department said that the theft of the equipment could constitute a felony for the individuals involved.

“Please return these so the kids can enjoy them,” the CCPD stated in a post on social media. “If you have information on their whereabouts, please contact the CCPD at 228-3366.”

Mitchell said that one of the animals went missing last week, but he thought that it might just be a prank, and that he would find the missing piece somewhere else in the park or perched somewhere downtown.

The other two pieces went missing over the weekend, however, so Mitchell reported it to the police. He said that if the culprit would quietly return the missing animals, he would be happy to forget the whole thing.

“They can return them, if they would just leave them by the other ones, we’ll take them back,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell is hopeful that someone saw something and will report it to either him or to the police.

“Anyone with any information about it can get ahold of me at the Park and Recreation office,” he said. “Hopefully we can get the three animals back.”