City Breaks Ground on Krystle Campbell Peace Garden
Medford has broken ground on the Krystle Campbell Peace Garden nearly two and a half years after Medford native Krystle Campbell was killed in the Boston Marathon bombings. The garden will honor all victims of the bombings and will include commemorative plaques for Campbell as well as Lingzi Lu, Martin Richard and MIT Police Officer Sean Collier. It will be located in Medford Square on green space in front of the Senior Center. Fountains, walking paths, and Campbell’s favorite, the sunflower, will be part of the garden.
Members of the victims’ families and survivors attended Sunday’s ground-breaking ceremony, including Jeff Bauman, Patrick and Jessica Downes, Roseann Sdoia, Karen McWatters, Paul Norden, and Jacqui Webb. Twelve police honor guards participated in the event, including those from Medford, MIT, and Watertown.
Medford has raised $1.1 million for the development of the Peace Garden through state grants and private donations, and several thousands of dollars have been raised to maintain the garden once it is constructed.
The following photos were taken by Paul Rapatano and Allison Goldsberry. More photos of the ground-breaking ceremony are available on the City of Medford’s Facebook page.
The garden will contain plaques honoring each of the victims
MIT Police Officer Sean Collier, Martin Richard, Krystle Campbell, and Lingzi Lu
The Boston University Marching Band participated in Sunday’s event in honor of Lu, a BU graduate student
Survivor Celeste Corcoran
A 40 by 90 foot American flag was unfurled at the end of the ceremony
Krystle’s father, William, thanked the crowd and the city of Medford for their support
Krystle’s friends released four doves as a symbol of peace
Survivor Roseann Sdoia delivered citations from Vice President Joe Biden and the Baker administration
Krystle’s friend Karen McWatters, who was injured in the bombings, delivered the Pledge of Allegiance
Police honor guards from a dozen different communities participated in the ceremony
Channel 4 anchor Lisa Hughes was the event MC
The Boston Police Gaelic Column escorted guests to the dais
The Peace Garden will be located in Medford Square in front of the senior center. Its anticipated completion date is June 2016.
– InsideMedford.com