After Multiple Thefts, Parma Places Tracking Tags on Flamingo Statues

Long seen as a punchline against the working-class suburb, and then long celebrated as an unofficial symbol of city pride, the pink flamingo has taken its rightful place as the official mascot of Parma.

In a recent ceremony at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Mayor Tim DeGeeter and members of city council signed the ceremonial resolution that coincided with the bird’s starring role in Parma’s bicentennial logo, which was designed by a local resident.

“Parma residents love their flamingos,” DeGeeter said. “What began as a joke in the 1960s aimed at residents adorning their front yards with flamingo lawn ornaments has been embraced over the years by the community. In fact, we have two large flamingo sculptures on display in Parma. One is at our Anthony Zielinski Park next to our script Parma sign. The other is in Quarry District.”

The 7-foot-tall statues were immediate hits upon installation, with residents and visitors flocking for photos. They were so popular, in fact, that they were theft targets not once but twice. Four months after the most recent incident, where two young Valley View men made off with the statue from the Quarry District, the pink icon has been replaced. With upgrades for it and its sibling.

“Both the birds at the Quarry District and Anthony Zielinski Park are tagged,” DeGeeter told Cleveland.com. “So, God forbid, if there’s a third attempt from a knucklehead to try to heist it, we’ll be able to go right to their front door and retrieve the bird.”

So beware, would-be ne’er-do-wells, there is nothing but trouble lurking in those innocent pink birds. Observe, appreciate, snap a pic, but hands off.