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Chardon dedicates new park to victims of 2012 school shooting

Chardon dedicates new park to victims of 2012 school shooting
Posted at 7:10 PM, Oct 07, 2017
and last updated 2017-10-08 12:47:09-04

Calling the new park a tribute to the human spirit, the Chardon community held a grand opening Saturday for what they call a living memorial.

The new park helps remember the past and embrace the future.

“This playground is awesome, the whole park has so much meaning to it, both in the past and the hopes of the future. A place for families to come and enjoy themselves and be thankful for life,” said CoCo Griffis.

The 17 acre park includes a playground and fitness equipment as well as commemoration plaques.

It was February 2012 when a student shot six other students inside Chardon High School killing three of them.

The park now honors the lives of Demetrius Hewlin, Russell King Junior, and Danny Parmetor. 

The park was paid for by community donations and grants.

“We all came together and in 2012, still to this day we are one heartbeat. Today is a good picture of Chardon as a community,” said former Chardon student Dominic Ferrante.