“OurSpace” Playground Arsonists Also Targeted Rec Park Carousel

Authorities believe the people who set a fire that ripped through an adaptive playground at Binghamton's Recreation Park also intended to damage the nearby carousel.

Detectives have been investigating the June 1 arson blaze that heavily damaged the OurSpace facility.

Mayor Richard David says the historic Rec Park carousel was broken into the same night the fire occurred.

Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program on Tuesday, David said "either the door was broken into or a window was broken and hopped in" at the merry-go-round building.

The mayor said "we think that they just didn't have enough time to do whatever they were going to do." He said it's not known if the intruders intended "to set that on fire as well or vandalize that in some way."

After the apparent burglary, the carved wooden carousel horses were removed from the building and moved elsewhere for safe storage.

The carousel could not open during the summer because of the COVID-19 pandemic. David said he hopes it will be able to operate next year.

The mayor said the city has taken steps to enhance security throughout the entire park. Workers from a Rochester-area company have installed new security systems in the park in recent weeks.

Binghamton police investigators have not said whether they have any suspects in the park arson case.

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com

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