Thieves stole miniature road traffic signs designed to help kids learn road rules from a Healesville park.
Yarra Ranges Council installed the signs at the Roll Play park earlier this month during upgrade works, and thieves struck on Tuesday 23 October.
The council added a junior speed hump bypass to give scooter riders and younger children an easier path to take, compared to the original, larger humps on the track.
It also installed stop, give way and roundabout signs along the path and added line marking to simulate two-way traffic on roads.
Ryrie Ward Councillor Fiona McAllister said she was disappointed to hear that thieves had stolen the signage.
“The vision for this particular park was an opportunity for kids to learn to ride on roads before they actually went on roads,” she said.
“When the path was built we had a fabulous, really positive community reaction but lots of questions around the signage.
“There was lovely ‘wombats crossing’ signs and really nice themed signs but there weren’t real signs – that was the opportunity to upgrade and do something more realistic.
“It’s upsetting to see that someone has stolen these signs, which will cost the council money to replace and mean children have to wait longer to experience the park’s full potential.”
Anyone with information about the stolen signs should call Healesville Police on 5962 4422 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Roll Play is at Queens Park, between the Queens Park Kindergarten and the Healesville Tennis Club, and is suitable for bikes and scooters.
