Families in Toronto's High Park neighbourhood are mourning the loss of a popular playground in what police believe was a deliberately set fire.

The park's Jamie Bell playground, funded and built by community volunteers, was set ablaze around 3 a.m. Saturday.

The cluster of wooden castles was a favourite among kids, who were shocked to see its charred remains Saturday morning.

"It's sad. I don't know why anybody would want to burn that down," one of the youngsters, Nichola Lagilbert, told CTV News. "A lot of people worked hard to make it."

Police pegged the damage at $100,000 and are asking anyone with information about the suspected arson to come forward.

Ward 13 Councillor Sarah Doucette is calling on her constituents in Parkdale-High Park to join efforts to refurbish the playground.

"Please contact my office so we can start working on rebuilding the Jamie Bell Playground in High Park," she wrote on her Facebook page. "We will rebuild."

Area residents told CTV News the playground has been vandalized in the past.