Fire destroyed the shelter at Village Green Park early Sunday, shutting down the pool and kids’ programming for the summer.

A suspicious early-morning fire at Village Green Park in south Moorhead shut down children’s outdoor fun almost before it began.

Fire was reported in the park shelter at 3:30 a.m. Sunday, just two days after the neighborhood wading pool opened for the season. According to fire officials, it began in a garbage receptacle moved under the overhanging roof of the wooden structure, where it quickly reached the roof. It spread throughout the building, which housed restrooms and the mechanical equipment to operate the pool, along with chemicals and other material.

Initial estimates pegged the damage at $75,000. After closer inspection, it was raised by late Monday to $200,000 or more. Parks Department staff have drained the wading pool, which will be sidelined for the rest of the year. Other wading pools for youngsters up to age 10 are available in Hansmann, Northast, Ridgewood, Riverview Estates and South parks.

The first of two Parks and Recreation Department summer programs – with afternoon games, art and science activities for 6- to 11-year-olds – had been slated to begin Monday. Thirty children were signed up for the sessions at Village Green Park, one of five locations around the city. Trevor Magnuson, recreation director for the department, said the program has been transferred to Romkey Park for the duration of the summer.