Our first big project was to build a playground in honor of Dominik that children from all over the community would absolutely love. We are excited to announce that Dom’s Park was opened to the public on May 11, 2021. Dom’s Park would not exist without the commitment of our family, friends, and community. We are forever indebted to our partnership with the Papio NRD, Midlands Community Foundation, Creative Sites, BCI Burke, Dostal’s Construction Company, Curzon Promotional Graphics, Metal Logos, and Ecoturf Surfacing. The formal grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony occurred on June 19, 2021. Below, you can watch the ribbon-cutting ceremony as well as see photos taken during construction.
Dom’s Park
Dom referred to every playground he went to as a “park,” Tiff chose to use Dom’s own words when naming and designing the sign for the playground’s entrance. In the design, we considered many aspects of Dominik’s favorite playgrounds including a big slide, a bouncy bridge, swings, music, outer space, lots of things to climb, and, of course, cars. The final design is double the size of the existing playground and has play structures for children aged 2 to 12. It is an absolute perfect reflection of who Dom was and what he loved.
Location
When we approached the Papio NRD with our half-baked idea to build a playground in memory of Dominik, they said without hesitation, “Let’s do it!” The location for Dom’s Park is near the northwest corner of Chalco Hills Recreation Area that can be accessed using the entrance near 156th and Giles. Chalco Hills Recreation Area is particularly meaningful to us because we spent a great deal of time there as a family. On most Sunday afternoons, we ran through the woods while pushing Dominik in his stroller, we would let him eat a picnic lunch under his favorite cottonwood trees, and would then let him play at the playground until it was time for his afternoon nap. After Dom passed, this location is where we went to feel closest to him and where we continue to go to feel close to him or when we need respite from everyday life. When we are there, we can picture him running ahead of us on the trail, stopping to look at and smell a flower, or getting excited when we encounter a deer or turkey. It is the perfect location for a playground in honor of Dom.
Dominik Walters 