My 5 year old daughter Gemma spent 10 months in hospital after being born with a rare neuromuscular disorder rending her wheelchair bound. We discovered a lack of accessibility at our local Richmond parks so I spent 4 years working towards building an Accessible Playground so that children and adults of all abilities would have a place to participate in play.
With the help of the local Richmond community, fundraising, and grants, we turned a $75,000 budget into $240,000 and built a wonderful Assessible Playground with smooth surfacing, that completed this Spring 2015.
It has been a dream come true proving inclusive play so that children with mobility challenges like my daughter don't have to experience the heartache of sitting on the sidelines watching other children play. I never expected any form of recognition but I had requested, and hoped, the playground have a sign with my daughter's name on it, 'Gemma's Place'. She has what is considered to be a life limiting condition, and I hoped to honour her by placing her little mark on this world. This playground exists because of her. The City promised to do some form of signage and one of the City Councillors promised the playground would have her name on it. City Parks purchased a boulder with intention to put 'Gemma's Place' on it, but there is a new City by-law preventing this from happening.
I am hoping that I can call upon the help of the community by signing this petition to the City of Richmond in support of naming this playground after Gemma. Together I hope we can make this possible.
Thank you!
Amanda Bostik
Updates
October 24, 2015
Reaching five hundred signatures brings a quiet sense of validation to the efforts behind this park. It is heartening to see so many people recognize that a name on a boulder represents much more than a simple label.
Reached 500 supporters
October 23, 2015
October 22, 2015
Seeing this momentum grow has been a profound reminder of the community we built together to create a space that belongs to everyone. It is moving to witness so many people understand why this name represents a legacy of inclusion rather than just a simple label on a stone.
Reached 100 supporters
October 21, 2015
October 19, 2015
Seeing the count approach one hundred reminds me how many people understand the importance of legacy and inclusion. This momentum is helping us demonstrate that the community cares deeply about recognizing the inspiration behind this park. Please consider inviting others to join this effort so we can show the council the true scale of local support.
248 Comments
Without a sense of caring, there can be no sense of community. Not allowing the park to be named after the inspiration for its creation because of a by-law just seems counterintuitive to the culture of community that the city of Richmond would want to create.
How nice it is to recognize people who inspire good things! If one person makes a difference to one community let us honor that inspiration. To often only those who do bad deeds gain recognition. This is one way to encourage communities and individuals to work to improve their neighborhoods. A small thank you can make a huge difference!
We name hospital pavilions , sport centre s and many park benches etc. With peoples names on them. (And persons are still alive )Please honor a family who has not just asked for something but has done the leg work to accomplish this playground for ALL children to enjoy. Honor a previous commitment to this family...it means a lot to them
Name this playground after the girl who inspired it to be built. This is her legacy to remind future generations that a disability doesn't define you and also to remind people that this is what a community does to help its own
There are so many beautiful names all over this city marking many beautiful places. Lets keep this going and add Gemma's name in there. Well deserved & a great conversation piece.."Mommy, who is Gemma?" and the story begins why the park began :)
Great work!
I'm in support of the park being named after Gemma, the girl who inspired it to happen! Well done to Gemma's mom!
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via . Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
By signing, you accept our Terms and Privacy Policy and agree to occasional emails about petitions. Unsubscribe anytime.
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
My 5 year old daughter Gemma spent 10 months in hospital after being born with a rare neuromuscular disorder rending her wheelchair bound. We discovered a lack of accessibility at our local Richmond parks so I spent 4 years working towards building an Accessible Playground so that children and adults of all abilities would have a place to participate in play.
With the help of the local Richmond community, fundraising, and grants, we turned a $75,000 budget into $240,000 and built a wonderful Assessible Playground with smooth surfacing, that completed this Spring 2015.
It has been a dream come true proving inclusive play so that children with mobility challenges like my daughter don't have to experience the heartache of sitting on the sidelines watching other children play. I never expected any form of recognition but I had requested, and hoped, the playground have a sign with my daughter's name on it, 'Gemma's Place'. She has what is considered to be a life limiting condition, and I hoped to honour her by placing her little mark on this world. This playground exists because of her. The City promised to do some form of signage and one of the City Councillors promised the playground would have her name on it. City Parks purchased a boulder with intention to put 'Gemma's Place' on it, but there is a new City by-law preventing this from happening.
I am hoping that I can call upon the help of the community by signing this petition to the City of Richmond in support of naming this playground after Gemma. Together I hope we can make this possible.
Thank you!
Amanda Bostik
Updates
October 24, 2015
Reaching five hundred signatures brings a quiet sense of validation to the efforts behind this park. It is heartening to see so many people recognize that a name on a boulder represents much more than a simple label.
Reached 500 supporters
October 23, 2015
October 22, 2015
Seeing this momentum grow has been a profound reminder of the community we built together to create a space that belongs to everyone. It is moving to witness so many people understand why this name represents a legacy of inclusion rather than just a simple label on a stone.
Reached 100 supporters
October 21, 2015
October 19, 2015
Seeing the count approach one hundred reminds me how many people understand the importance of legacy and inclusion. This momentum is helping us demonstrate that the community cares deeply about recognizing the inspiration behind this park. Please consider inviting others to join this effort so we can show the council the true scale of local support.
248 Comments
i too have a disabled son and can understand the importance of this park and so appreciate.."Gemma's Park" and she should be recognized for making sure so many children can have access now to this special park...thank you Gemma
Without a sense of caring, there can be no sense of community. Not allowing the park to be named after the inspiration for its creation because of a by-law just seems counterintuitive to the culture of community that the city of Richmond would want to create.
How nice it is to recognize people who inspire good things! If one person makes a difference to one community let us honor that inspiration. To often only those who do bad deeds gain recognition. This is one way to encourage communities and individuals to work to improve their neighborhoods. A small thank you can make a huge difference!
We name hospital pavilions , sport centre s and many park benches etc. With peoples names on them. (And persons are still alive )Please honor a family who has not just asked for something but has done the leg work to accomplish this playground for ALL children to enjoy. Honor a previous commitment to this family...it means a lot to them
Name this playground after the girl who inspired it to be built. This is her legacy to remind future generations that a disability doesn't define you and also to remind people that this is what a community does to help its own
There are so many beautiful names all over this city marking many beautiful places. Lets keep this going and add Gemma's name in there. Well deserved & a great conversation piece.."Mommy, who is Gemma?" and the story begins why the park began :)
Great work!
I'm in support of the park being named after Gemma, the girl who inspired it to happen! Well done to Gemma's mom!
Help this petition grow
Share it with friends to help reach 1,000 signatures.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via .
Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
Signing with Google or Facebook verifies your signature instantly — no email needed.
By signing, you accept our Terms and Privacy Policy and agree to occasional emails about petitions. Unsubscribe anytime.
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
i too have a disabled son and can understand the importance of this park and so appreciate.."Gemma's Park" and she should be recognized for making sure so many children can have access now to this special park...thank you Gemma