Site named for teen
Meadow Pollack was killed in Parkland shooting.
The 17 killed in the Parkland massacre will be remembered at a park with 17 fountains, as well as a splash pad and new playground equipment.
Meadow Pollack, 18, was among those killed in the Valentine’s Day shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High. Her father, Andrew Pollack, pushed for the new area, called Princess Meadow’s Playground, within Betti Stradling Park.
It’s where Meadow played as a child near her Coral Springs home.
“She was my little princess and I want something in her memory,” said Andrew Pollack. “Rather than sitting at the cemetery I’d rather go sit where I can hear laughter of the kids playing. I want it to live on in her memory and the [other] victims.”
The Coral Springs City Commission signed off on the plan Wednesday morning for two splash pads on each side of the new playground, and a memorial area directly east of the playground. The fountains also will be within the project.
Pollack said he asked for the blessing of the other families for the memorial. “I want them all to be happy with it.”
Betti Stradling Park, opened in 1997, was named after the late Elisabeth A. “Betti” Stradling, a middle school teacher and Coral Springs community volunteer who was the wife of a city commissioner.
The work, to be paid for by Pollack’s organization, Meadow’s Movement, is estimated to reach $1 million.
There will be two parks for her: Pollack will recycle some playground equipment to be used for a park in his daughter’s memory on vacant land just south of the Chabad of Coral Springs synagogue on University Drive as well.
“It’s a great partnership to work with him and his family who have been through so much,” said Commissioner Larry Vignola. “For our residents, we’re getting a gorgeous area. I’m very proud of that.”
Betti Stradling Park is at 10301 Wiles Road.