Jessica Ridgeway's community apparently feels different about this topic. "The City of Westminster Parks & Recreation and the Westminster Legacy Foundation have
raised $300,000 of the $450,000 needed for the remodel costs of Jessica Ridgeway Memorial Park." (
link). I have yet to see any criticism of the Westminster community for establishing programs, camps, a memorial park and a memorial garden in memory of a child that lost her life in a very similar way to that of Lyric and Elizabeth.
This case should not be treated any differently than that of Jessica Ridgeway when it comes to a memorial park ... and yes ... children, when learning how the park got it's name, will also have a lesson in how to stay safe. That goes without saying.
I'm actually somewhat taken aback to read that some people believe that naming a bench, park, garden, or program in memory of a child means that the bench, park, garden, or program will be perceived as haunted and creepy. That's probably the farthest thing from the minds of the people that are working hard and donating money to ensure that the Jessica Ridgeway Memorial Park is a success. I suppose some people perceive cemeteries as haunted and creepy while many perceive them as memorials to their loved ones.