The Umbrella Girl statue at Schiller Park has seen a lot since she was installed in 1996—dog walkers, picnics, awkward prom photos, and more frisbees than anyone can count. What she hadn’t experienced until November was vandalism. And then, somehow, she got hit twice in two weeks.
Friends of Schiller Park, the nonprofit that maintains the statue, says that on Nov. 15, someone poured a red substance all over Umbrella Girl, causing more than $5,000 in repairs. Then, sometime before the morning of Nov. 30, someone set fire to the little red holiday coat she wears each December.
It’s not exactly the kind of holiday tradition anyone asked for.
Police Are Investigating, and Damage Appears Minimal
The Columbus Division of Police is investigating the Nov. 15 incident, and the park organization is reviewing any available footage. If you live nearby and your doorbell camera caught something suspicious, they’d love to hear from you.
Luckily, the coat fire doesn’t appear to have caused much damage to the bronze statue itself. Blind Eye Restoration will take a closer look and handle whatever repairs she needs.
The Coat Will Be Back
If you’ve ever wondered who puts that red coat on her each winter, the answer is: one very dedicated person who inherited the job from the original coat-maker before he passed away. The tradition is low-key, local, and quietly beloved.
Friends of Schiller Park President Katherine Moore says she’d be shocked if the statue isn’t sporting a brand-new jacket in no time.
“I don’t know this, but I would bet my last dollar that she’ll have a new red jacket in time for Sunday’s Village Lights,” Moore told the Dispatch. “Whatever somebody was trying to do, we’ll get it fixed.”
How to Help
The repairs for the first incident alone topped $5,000. If you want to chip in toward restoration or help fund a new coat, you can donate to Friends of Schiller Park here.
Umbrella Girl will be fine. She’ll get her repairs, she’ll get her coat, and she’ll go right back to being one of the most photographed residents of the South End
