Why is There a Fake Rat in This Rockford Playground?

We're just not sure why this rat is necessary to this playground.

Yesterday I was hanging at Sinnissippi with my friend and her toddler and we spent some time at the little park next to the path.

The park is great, perfect for kids of any age and has one of those tunnels your kids can crawl through that is made to look wooden.

Especially fun for toddlers.

But then I noticed something weird.

Why is there a rat whittled in the fake wooden thing?

And why does the rat look like it's dead?

Am I just like out of the loop because I don't have kids... is this rat wooden tunnel thing a mainstay in local playgrounds?

Someone help. Thanks.

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