A temple to help heal
35-foot-high structure will be burned for the Parkland community
CORAL SPRINGS — A temporary temple built to help heal the Parkland community after last year’s mass school shooting will be burned Sunday night in a ceremonial fire.
Thousands have visited the 35-foot-high wooden temple since it opened Feb. 14. And on Sunday, up to 8,000 people are expected to attend the burn, says Lynne Martzall, a spokeswoman for Coral Springs.
Seventeen students and staff were slain in the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High on Valentine’s Day 2018.
Three families directly impacted by the shooting will be there Sunday to help set fire to the temple.
They are relatives of Nicholas Dworet, who was one of the school’s star swimmers; Chris Hixon, the athletic director who was lauded as a hero who died trying to save lives that day; and Gina Montalto, who was an outgoing freshman on the school’s marching band.
David Best, the California-based artist who designed the temple, also will attend the burn.
Best says he named his latest work the Temple of Time because it will take many years for the community to heal from the sorrow of the shooting.
The temple was built to give people a place to gather, reflect and leave behind their grief and pain, Best said. The burn is intended to help release that pain and transform it.
Here’s what you need to know if you plan to go.
The temple is located at 9551 W. Sample Road, just west of University Drive. It will close to the public at 5 p.m. Sunday.
The event begins at 7 p.m. but the burn ceremony won’t start till sunset, about 8 p.m.
From 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Sample
Road will be closed in both directions from University Drive to Coral Hills Drive.
Crowds will be kept at least 130 feet from the temple. People can gather near the temple, along Sample Road and on the lawn of Coral Springs City Hall across the street.
People with asthma and other breathing problems are encouraged to stay home, but can watch the event on social media. The burn will be streamed live on the city’s website and Facebook page City of Coral Springs.
Parking will be available at Coral Springs City Hall at 9500 W. Sample Road, the Village Square Plaza at 9335 W. Sample Road and the Financial Plaza at 3300 N. University Drive, just east of City Hall.
Those attending the burn can text the keyword, TEMPOFTIME to 888-777 for up-to-the minute updates.