La Plata, MD – The park where a 3-year-old toddler died in a swing almost a year ago is expected to receive major upgrades this summer.
Among the projected improvements will be a monument commemorating the town’s resurrection following the 2002 tornado which devastated the Charles County seat.
Councilmember Wayne Winkler told the La Plata Town Council Tuesday, March 21 that the town is working with Indian Head Iron Works to come up with an appropriate design for the commemoration, which will be placed within the confines of Wills Park.
“They’ve given us a couple of models,” he noted. “We do have a budget. We won’t have to come before the community for money.”
Wills was established in 1950s. Upgrades include upgrading restroom facilities and adding security at the park in the wake of last year’s tragic event, where a young boy died from exposure after his mother left him in the park swing for more than 40 hours.
Romechia Marie Simms, 25 of Waldorf, entered an Alford plea in Charles County Circuit Court Feb. 22, pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter, claiming she was not criminally responsible for the death of Ji’Aire Donnell Lee, who died after 44 hours in a bucket swing at the park.
Tilghman Lake in La Plata.
Tilghman Lake will benefit from a $20,000 grant the Town of La Plata received recently, according to Councilmember Lynn Gilroy.
Gilroy was preparing to tour the lake for a final determination of just what will be restored and added. Exercise machines will be installed, he explained, adding there is more that needs done.
“We’re putting together an outline of where we want to make improvements,” he said. “We have to work with public works.
“We will be dredging some and will work on a floating dock,” Gilroy stated, “it is in bad shape. And we need to make sure we don’t need additional funds.”
“We’re very pleased the council approved the improvements to Wills Park,” he stressed. “It will be a great asset to the community.”
Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com
