Tree Knocked Down At Rye Street Park

South Windsor police said a motor vehicle collision knocked over a large tree at Rye Street Park sometime between the afternoon of May 4 and the afternoon of May 5, and investigators are asking the public for help identifying what happened. The department said the damage was discovered after the tree had already been knocked down. Police did not identify a vehicle or suspect in the initial public notice. The case was circulated in a department post and later reported by Patch. ### When did police say the damage happened? South Windsor police said the incident occurred between Monday, May 4, at 2:30 p.m. and Tuesday, May 5, at 2:30 p.m. Patch, citing a South Windsor Police Department post, reported that the tree was knocked over in what police described as a motor vehicle collision at Rye Street Park. The department’s public message said investigators were trying to determine who was involved and what led to the damage. ### What exactly are investigators asking residents to report? (patch.com) The South Windsor Police Department said it is looking for “any information regarding a motor vehicle collision in which this tree at Rye Street Park was knocked over.” That request suggests police are seeking more than a general tip. Residents who were near the park during the 24-hour window, or who may have home, dashcam or other surveillance footage from nearby roads, are the people most likely to have information that could help narrow the timeline. (patch.com) That is an inference based on the department’s request for information about a specific collision during a defined time period. ### Who is the contact for the case? Officer Linda Hernando was identified by police as the contact for anyone with information. Police said tips can be directed to Hernando by phone at 860-644-2551 or by email at linda.hernando@southwindsor-ct.gov. The South Windsor police department’s main public contact page lists the department at 151 Sand Hill Road in South Windsor and gives 860-644-2551 as a department phone number. (patch.com) The town police page also includes a “Submit a Tip” option among its public services. ### Did police say whether this was vandalism or a crash? Patch reported the damage as a motor vehicle collision, based on the police post it cited. (patch.com) In the material available publicly, police did not provide further details on whether the collision was intentional, whether another object was struck, or whether any injuries were reported. (southwindsor-ct.gov) The absence of those details leaves several basic questions unanswered, including what kind of vehicle was involved and whether the driver remained at the scene. Police also did not say in the public notice whether officers found debris, tracks or other evidence at the park. ### Why did this draw public attention in South Windsor? (patch.com) Rye Street Park is a named public park in South Windsor, and damage to a large tree there would be visible to park users and nearby residents. Town documents and maps identify Rye Street Park as a municipal recreation site. South Windsor has also documented prior concerns about vandalism and maintenance issues at Rye Street Park in public records. (patch.com) Minutes from a 2025 Park and Recreation Commission meeting said the park’s main entrance had been closed because of ongoing vandalism. ### What happens next? The next step is the police investigation, which remains open while officers seek tips from the public. (southwindsor-ct.gov) Anyone who saw activity at Rye Street Park between 2:30 p.m. on May 4 and 2:30 p.m. on May 5, or who has video from that period, can contact Officer Linda Hernando at 860-644-2551 or linda.hernando@southwindsor-ct.gov, according to the department’s public notice. (patch.com) (southwindsor-ct.gov)