TACOMA, Wash. -- This afternoon, the former classmates of Zina Linnik will have something to celebrate.
Two groundbreaking ceremonies will be held at 2:00 p.m. for two Hilltop parks in Tacoma dedicated toZina's memory.
The 12-year old girl was kidnapped on July 4, 2007, from outside her home in Tacomaand was later found murdered. In the months and years since, a sex offender has been prosecuted and lawsuits filed, buther classmates at Tacoma's McCarver Elementary School havealso been working to create something special in her memory that will also benefit other children in the community.
The children created the Zina Linnik Project and have worked with state legislators and TheGreater Metro Parks Foundation to design and raise closeto $3.5 millionto refurbish twoexisting but run down parks in Zina's neighborhood.
The parks will eventually feature Ukrainian influenced designs, including a community garden, in honor of Zina's heritage, along with poetry, art, new equipment, and even a spray ground that will be installed at Tacoma'sWright Park.
