Dear Toucan Ride Thing, I Love You

Dear Toucan Ride Thing at Humboldt Park Playground:

I don’t see you around much anymore. When I was a kid, we would fight over who got to ride you, even though you didn’t really move. But you looked like the bird on the Fruit Loops box and that’s all that mattered. Mm, fruity milk. Much better than nasty Cheerios milk.

You’re fading away now, an endangered species. At least some kids will still get to enjoy you — at least until The New Safer Playground arrives one day. I’ll always remember you, Really-Hot-In-The-Sun Toucan Ride Thing.