What was initially believed to be the theft of two pieces of public art from Lake Wilcox Park has turned out to be considerably larger. Councillor Carol Davidson says five outdoor sculptures were stolen overnight last week, while the City increases patrols and considers security cameras for the park.
By Staff Writer
What initially appeared to be the theft of two pieces of public art from Lake Wilcox Park was more extensive than first believed.
Richmond Hill Councillor Carol Davidson says five outdoor sculptures were stolen from the park overnight last week, including the familiar turtle sculpture that had become a recognizable feature of the waterfront park.
“It’s worse than we thought!” Davidson wrote in an update after initially reporting that two pieces had been taken.
Her earlier post identified those pieces as the turtle sculpture and a paddle display mounted on top of a column. The column itself was also damaged during the theft.
Davidson said the artworks were custom-built specifically for Lake Wilcox Park and had been enjoyed by residents and visitors for years.
The theft has been reported to York Regional Police, which is investigating, and the City has also notified its insurance provider. Davidson said there were no further updates from the investigation at the time of her latest post.
Mayor David West also condemned the theft, saying he was “both heartbroken and appalled.”
“Public art is an important part of our thriving community, celebrating our unique spaces and diverse culture,” West wrote. He said he hoped the missing artwork would ultimately be returned “to where it belongs, the people of Richmond Hill.”
More patrols, cameras being considered
For now, City by-law officers will increase patrols at Lake Wilcox Park outside of its closing hours, Davidson said.
She is also speaking with City staff about the potential purchase of security cameras for the park, a measure that could provide additional protection following the thefts.
City staff are retrieving the original plans and specifications for the artwork to identify the original designers and vendors, determine potential replacement costs and assess the cost of repairing the damaged column.
The identities of the other three missing sculptures have not yet been publicly specified.
“Lake Wilcox Park is a shared community space, and the theft and damage of public art hurts all of us,” Davidson said.
Anyone with information that could help identify those responsible or locate the missing pieces is asked to contact York Regional Police at 1-866-876-5423.