A local organization is hoping to lock down a spot for a memorial children’s park in Grande Prairie. President of the Tiny Hands of Hope Society Karen Gilkyson says she would like to see a space for families remember their children who have died.
The idea was brought forward as the organization holds an annual walk and gives a shrub for families to plant at the end to commemorate their loss.
“Many of us don’t have green thumbs and we were given these shrubs pretty late in the year. Our walk is held late September. What was happened is that these shrubs were not making it through the winter and were dying. It was causing more hurt and sadness.”
If the proposed park goes through, it would be the first in western Canada and the third in the country.
“There are two parks in Canada. They are both in eastern parts of the country.”
The group is working with the city on details and possibilities on what it would look like. Gilkyson says she would like it not to seem like a cemetery or graveyard.
“It would be nice to have a place for the living children to play like a playground. It may have benches or trees but we haven’t locked down specifics just yet.”
The president says she hopes the park can become a place where families can come together to remember their little ones. The city is working with Tiny Hands of Hope and the parks crew to come up with a plan.
A fundraiser gala for the Tiny Hands of Hope Society is being held on March 4th, 2017. Tickets have sold out for the event.