WESTMINSTER, Colo. — A ceremony was held in honor of Jessica Ridgeway Saturday morning, dedicating a local park in her memory.
At 10 a.m., hundreds of friends, family and community members gathered at the Jessica Ridgeway Memorial Park as it was officially opened to the public.
Dozens of volunteers helped build the park located at 10765 Moore Street over the past year. They worked together to rake, shovel and move more than 500 cubic tons of mulch. Many worked in two-hour shifts starting as early as eight o’clock in the morning.
The majority of the design of the park incorporated purple, Jessica’s favorite color.
“When you drive by you instantly know it belongs to her,” park designer Kathy said. “The hope is that it brings joy.”
The 10-year-old was kidnapped and killed last October while on her way to school. Ridgeway was supposed to meet her friends at the park, but never showed up.
“It’s a special situation. It’s a great healing thing for the community,” Jason Genck, general operations manager for Westminster Department of Parks and Recreation said.
The Memorial Park cost about $650,000. The City of Westminster kicked in about $150,000, the rest came from donations grants and gifts.