Bronze animal statues stolen from Arbor Lodge Park in North Portland

The damage to the park has been ongoing since at least last June, according to Portland Parks and Recreation.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Bronze animal statues that decorated Arbor Lodge Park in North Portland have been disappearing for the last few months, according to community members and Portland Parks and Recreation. 

Statues of turtles, sea otters and alligators have been stolen, with even the keys to a xylophone being removed as well at the park. 

According to Portland Parks and Recreation, the damage to the xylophone was noted last June. At least one turtle was also reported missing this February.

Community members who take children to the park, which is especially designed to be inclusive and accessible for all, as it’s a Harper’s Playground location, say the kids are sad about it.

“Especially the lizard one I was familiar with, because my little grandson loved going over and sitting on it and just playing with it, and that was the one he was really drawn to,” said Mary O’Dea, who has been bringing her grandson to the park for the last couple of years. 

Her grandson isn’t alone. 

“He really misses the alligator and the little baby turtle,” said Shoshana, who is a nanny. 

She also has safety concerns now that the statues are gone, as what’s now left in their place is just a protruding screw. 

“I’m most concerned about the attachment that it was attached to; it’s still kind of there and a hazard,” she said. 

While the statues have been going missing over some time according to community members, it still came as a surprise to some.  

“We came here last week, and we were all like, ‘Where did our alligator go?’ It’s definitely a loss,” said Solstice Jallow, who at first thought they were just being removed before realizing they were likely stolen. 

Portland Parks and Recreation said, “It is dismaying to see apparent thefts from this beloved inclusive playground” and continued on to explain that the art is under the purview of the Regional Arts and Culture Council, or RACC.

According to RACC, “RACC’s contract is with the Office of Arts & Culture at the City of Portland, and we have reported this incident to them. The City of Portland is responsible for any legal proceedings and next steps about this incident.”

The city’s Public Art Administrator said they noted the loss was reported to them in late February, and they are working with Portland Parks and Recreation and RACC on the problem. 

The city’s Office of Arts and Culture was out surveying the park Wednesday afternoon as well to determine what exactly had been stolen.

Portland Parks and Recreation said they planned to file a police report Wednesday. 

“It’s just sad that they have that destructive thing in them instead of thinking of other people,” said O’Dea, referring to whoever stole the statues. 

“That’s just what makes me sad, is not realizing how much other people find enjoyment in them and that they would want to vandalize and harm things that are for the community use,” she continued.