Construction of Sean Collier Playground to Begin in September

Photo: A playground built in memory of Victoria Soto at Penders Field in Stratford, CT. Soto was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Credit: Where Angels Play Foundation

Construction on a playground honoring Sean Collier is set to begin on Sept. 22. Collier, a Wilmington native and MIT officer, was shot and killed during the search and capture of the Boston Marathon bombing suspects.

The playground is being built by the Where Angels Play Foundation and will honor Collier in his hometown. On the Where Angels Play website it says the Collier Family, town of Wilmington and the foundation have “combined efforts to support the children of Wilmington with a safe, fun, and interactive playscape as a symbolic gift from Sean, whose life was committed to the advocacy of children.”

“With the overwhelming support of the Collier Family, this playground will reflect the personality and interests of Sean, a life dedicated to the safety of children and a love of community, country, and the American flag,” it further states.

The playground will be located at Silver Lake

Collier was killed four days after the Boston Marathon bombings when he was ambushed in his police cruiser by two men who were the center of the manhunt that terrorized the state and the region, killing four and injuring more than 170 others.

The New Jersey-based non profit Where Angels Play, built 26 playgrounds in areas damaged by Hurricane Sandy in honor of the 26 students and teachers who died at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Each is named after a student or teacher who was killed in the attack.

The company’s goal is “to create joyful places to play. To provide hope, recovery and a return to family values in the wake of senseless violence and tragedy.”