Fairfield will soon become home to one of 26 playgrounds built in Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey dedicated to the victims of the Dec. 14 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.
The Sandy Ground: Where Angels Play project's mission is two-fold: honor the Sandy Hook victims while sprucing up a coastline devastated by Superstorm Sandy.
The New Jersey State Firefighters' Mutual Benefit Association (NJFMBA) is behind the project. It was presented earlier this month to the Parks and Recreation Commission.
With the help of Fairfield's firefighters and Fairfield University officials, NJFMBA got approval to build a playground in Fairfield in honor of 6-year-old Sandy Hook student Jessica Rekos. Her mother, Krista, is a Class of 1999 alum of Fairfield University -- and so the family requested Fairfield as the site for Jessica's playground.
William Lavin, president of NJFMBA explained to the Parks and Recreation that each playground will be built with input of the families and will reflect the personality and interest of their loved one.
Funding will be raised through private donations, according to Lavin.
Two playgrounds have already been built in New Jersey to honor teacher's aide Anne Marie Murphy and 6-year-old Jack Pinto. A third dedicated to 6-year-old Catherine Hubbard was built in Ansonia.
Construction for a playground in Stratford to honor first grade teacher Victoria Soto is scheduled to start June 14, a week after the start of construction for a playground in Westport dedicated to 6-year-old student Dylan Hockley.
Jessica Gerber, member of the Board of Education and liaison to the Parks and Recreation Commission, said that one location discussed was Penfield Beach, where a swing set now stands.
The commission will discuss the project again at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 5 at Penfield Beach's Durrell Pavilion.
"We are hopeful this incredibly special project can happen," Gerber said.
Public feedback will be welcome at the June 5 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting.
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