Some might also call it ARSON. How about the parents pay for a new playground a lot of us used to enjoy. Nope, instead we get hit with the bill. Thanks again to the firefighters or damage could have been worse. Thanks to those delinquents for leaving Saddle Brook and visiting Fair Lawn to start a playground fire. Awful!! Just a waste of a nice place.

As Bevis and Butthead said FIRE FIRE FIRE! Mark C. is right its called ARSON! ARSON!
ARSON! Make the parents of the delinquent fire Arsonists pay for every cent of the damage
Maybe next time they will keep a better EYE on their young ARSONIST CHILDREN!!!

"Assistant borough manager Jim Van Kruiningen said it will remain closed indefinitely". This is an outrageous statement, this park should be immediately cleaned, inspected for toxins, and rebuilt just like any other park. If this was the Republik of Radburn wouldn't the park be rebuilt? Or is the Brookdale Park being treated differently?

Maybe we should be grateful that no one got hurt and understand that items in a park can be replaced......these boys had the sense to come forward and take responisibilty for that actions, be grateful the parents taught them at least that...name calling and placing judgement is not necessary and irresponsible.....

Jimmy Van Krunigen says it will be closed indefinately because this park is not in Radburn or any where near the cednter of Fair Lawn. Brookdale has always been treated differently. I just hope they clean it up and dont leave it smelling up the place.

Was this part not insured either?

Looks like they stole this picture from someone with out giving credit to that person

This picture where the playground is on fire looks like it was taken before it came out on the radio so how would the patch get it? unless they took it from someone who was there first.

Drive your kids by that playground to show them what can happen when you play with fire.
Those kids will probably be making payments to the court for years.

The children's parents should pay for the restoration of the park. They do not live and Fair Lawn and their children were using our facilities. Complete restoration to Fair Lawn must be made. In the interim, the park must be rebuilt for the residents living on the park side of town. Brookdale should not be treated as if it were not part of Fair Lawn. It is a unthinkable to imagine that the powers to be do not care.

Mr. Antonelli is right. Cut the kids a little slack and let's remember some of the dumb stuff we did when we were their age.

im a softball player and i would always play at that park for softball and my little sister would play at that park and now to see it burnt down like that is awful i believe that those idoits should pay full restoration of the park they weren't from fair lawn what are they even doing at a fair lawn park what they don't have parks in saddle brook and how do they accidentally burn a park down by playing with matches NO WAY!!!!!!!

Yes the kids came forward and we all have done dumb things as kids but let's not pat the kids on the head and call it a day. Part of growing up is dealing with consequences and I hope the kids face some kind of reprimand.

Looking at the pics again....is it possible for just matches to cause that damage? Looks like lighter fluid or something similar was used. That fire was out of control.

My Dad was one of the volunteers who built that playground years ago, so this is particularly upsetting to me. While kids do stupid things, I personally think it would be best for everyone (the kids to learn an important lesson -that actions have consequences, and Fair Lawn to get its playground back) if they made restitution the park clean up and the building of a new playground. They should also get community service to keep the playground pristine for a period of time.

It does make sense to have them do some community service by helping to rebuild the playground and keep the park clean, Helps to build character and a sense of responsibility for one's actions.

Here is the better question, how safe are all Fair Lawn parks if they can turn into a fire that big, that fast!?!

Thomas Paine hit it the nail on the head. How safe are our playgrounds? I mean who is the genius who came up wiith the idea of using recycled tires/ rubber? Not only is it extremely flammable but it leaves your clothes, sneakers, and hands black. My kids play on this playground and I have to explain to them that the playground is no longer there because of some dumb ass kids playing with matches. I've also seen profane graffiti drawn on the playground and from time to time some an empty baggie or two that looks like someone was doing a little partying. C'mon Fair Lawn. I pay my taxes here like everyone else. Do something right.

One has to wonder if the products used in the park are safe. We all like that rubberized mulch but one has to question now ... just how safe is it when kids playing with matches can ignite it like that. Time to look for different playground mulch.

I appreciate the integrity of the youth to come forward and do the right thing. Their parents taught them well.

Sadly we all do foolish things when young (and older) - these kids just happen to "come forward - get caught".... how many of us got away with "it" in our youth?

they should be charged with arson i mean come on do you know how many kids actually played on that thing? because whenever i passed by there that playground was always being used, but to be honest i have a friend who was set up for lighting a fire meanwhile he was about 50 miles away from the scene his ex girlfriend started a pair of sneakers on fire and told the police it was my friend who did it and now he has a charge of felony arson on his record because of his ex girlfriend and that happened when he was only 17 i mean come on if a pair of sneakers set on fire can make a good kid who was no where near the place get charged with arson how come causing a damn inferno on a playground where a lot of kids play on doesn't get that charge i think that is wrong

Curly, your friend needed a better attorney.....that story has nothing to do with this....because your friend was charged with arson everyone should be...there are all different levels of charges and each prosecutor and police department handle each situation independently....thank God for that....the boys took responsibility and told the truth....have faith in the Fairlawn police department they will do the right thing don't forget they are the only ones who know the whole story and are in the position to file what and whatever charges they determine are appropriate...it is not the publics job to determine how these boys should be charged...everyone should be concerned with the materials that were used to build the park....this was an accident with lessons to be learned for all....keep in mind no one was in the park and no one was hurt....so this is not a tragedy....just an accident ,a childish mistake and a bad judgement call by young boys...everyone take a moment and think back to a time where you did something stupid and then throw stones....this is not arson it was boys doing something stupid at the worse time ever...(extremely dry season)....less not drag this out....the park should be rebuilt right away with the insurance money and we should just let the police department do their job....at least this is how I feel being a tax payer............

RM, I was just telling that story because it's remarkable that someone can be charged with arson by lighting shoes on fire but not by lighting a whole damn playground on fire. Second of all those kids are 12 yes old their parents shouldn't leave them home alone because from what I have heard the parents weren't around. And last but not least those kids didn't come up and confess their friend called and told the cops what happened not the kids who lit the park on fire because those kids ran and weren't going to tell anyone at all. And by the way I believe that the parents should pay for a new playground set not the tax payers or any other insurance company besides the parents of those kids

I'm a little late on this but......First of all 12 year olds should not be roaming the streets especially in another town....I'm from saddle brook and delt with losers like that destroying my property and am so glad for the curfew.....Yes, the kids did try to call for help BUT they should have community service hours and some kind of punishment. Their parents SHOULD pay for damage. Set an example that when you let your children roam the streets and their parents probably didn't even know where they were, that they should pay the price for their kids too.