Kids Castle Art Returned

Good news for Kids Castle supporters.

"The Mercer tile artwork that went missing at the Castle was returned, no questions asked," said Shawn Touhill. "So we’re grateful to have that back."

Touhill is a Doylestown Township supervisor and volunteer helping in the effort to save the iconic playground in Central Park.

Michelle Roemer Schoen, publicity chair of the volunteer group Save Kids Castle, confirmed Thursday that the two missing tiles had been returned. The 

The two missing pieces are three-foot replicas of Henry Mercer's Fall and Winter tiles, part of a set depicting the seasons, Roemer Schoen said.

The theft was discovered Sunday, Dec. 9. Members of the group's Arts and Beautification committee had returned to the play castle to continue photographing the artwork decorating the castle before it is removed and catalogued for the upcoming restoration.

Where two replicas of Mercer's tiles had hung in the "farmyard" play area, committee coordinator Angelique Toadvine discovered only discolored circles remaining on the wood. The Fall and Winter tiles were gone.

 Pine Run Elementary School students, under the direction of art teacher Stephanie Thomas, had designed and installed the pieces about five years ago, said Dawn Byers.

"These were some of our finest pieces of artwork on the playground," she said then.

A police report was filed, but the unknown thieves were given a grace period to return the artwork with no questions asked.

Related Stories:

• Tiles Stolen From Kids Castle
• 'Save Kids Castle' Movement Gaining Steam
• Help Save Kids Castle