'Noose-Like' Rope Left In Swampscott Park Was For Pinata: Police

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — Swampscott police sought to put residents concerned about a potentially disturbing rope left in Linscott Park this weekend at ease on Thursday when they said someone had come forward and said the looped rope hanging from a tree branch was used for a pinata.

Police said the person, who wanted to remain anonymous, contacted the department's detective office and said the rope was left in the park following a child's party last week.

Police had sought information on the origins of the rope after it was found Monday morning. Police described it as having a "noose-like appearance" and said it was tied to a tree branch with the loop hanging about 4 feet off the ground.

"The SPD is hoping that this was left behind and used for an alternate purpose other than what it appears to be," police said earlier in the week.

Several commenters on the police post and Patch's story on the SPD's request for public assistance on where the rope came from wrote that they thought it more resembled a child's foot swing.

Did you find this article useful? Invite a friend to subscribe to Patch.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)

More Patch Coverage: 'Noose-Like' Rope Found In Swampscott's Linscott Park: Police