Residents wait for Weinland Park to be rebuilt after it was torn down by mistake

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – It's been about a month since a contractor tore down a popular playground they were not supposed to, and area residents still have questions about the situation.

At the moment, the area where Weinland Park's playground used to be is a hole filled in with mulch.

“It looks like a low-budget WWE ring, you’re just missing the ropes and the poles," LaWon Sellers said.

Sellers knows the park well. He grew up in the neighborhood and runs a youth athletic league at the park. He said ever since the playground was demolished, there haven't been as many people outside his group coming to the park.

“It’s a lot quieter, less people in attendance because there’s nowhere for the children to play,” he said. “When the kids obviously come to the park, what's the first thing they look for? Jungle gym, swings, sliding boards. But if you look over there, there’s pretty much just a chopped mulch pit.”

In early June, the contractor was only supposed to be working on a play area at a nearby preschool, according to Columbus City Schools. But workers also tore down the park's playground.

“I remember the day they tore it down, there were kids over the fence who were looking at it kind of sad," said Alex Douglas, a nearby resident who walks through the park regularly. 

The Columbus Recreation and Parks Department (CRPD) said the contractor has taken full responsibility and will cover the costs of a new playground. Sellers said his big question is when it will be done.

“I'm hoping they bring it back and make it better, more appealing,” he said. “At least you can do that for us. Give these kids back what belongs to them. Something fun. Bring back the park, you’ll bring back the people and the kids, more importantly.”

A spokesperson for CRPD said replacement playground equipment has been ordered but there's no timeline on when the playground will be done. The department previously said it would take several months.