Park honoring youngest victim of Boston Marathon bombing officially opens

BOSTON — A memorial park built to honor the youngest victim of the Boston Marathon bombing has officially opened to the public.

The city broke ground in August 2017, and will be dedicated to Martin Richard.

Martin's Park is full of trees and signs that read "Choose Kindness," all in the spirit of Martin.

The park sits across from Boston Children's Museum in the Seaport and cost $15 million in capital investments and private donations.

It's also the first of its kind "Park and Play."

The playground was built in memory of 8-year-old Martin Richard, the youngest victim of the attack.
His younger sister, Jane, lost a leg in the bombing.

On Saturday, during an emotional opening day for Bostonians in attendance, Jane sang at the dedication as Martin's brother Henry played with his band in front of the audience gathered at the park.

Martin's family was in attendance on Saturday.

The park has wheelchair ramps so it will be accessible to everyone, and also includes a pirate ship and amphitheater.

"It's a very big, inclusive park - it's a very peaceful place," said Henry Richard. "Everyone can access it and that's a really important part of the message."

There are also five cherry trees, planted in memory of each victim including Krystle Campbell, Lingzi Lu, Sean Collier and Dennis Simmonds.

The park is being maintained through an endowment from the Friends of Martin's Park.

Cox Media Group