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In Tampa, Florida, a new “All Abilities Park” is set to honor the memory of a young man tragically lost in the Ybor City shooting during the Halloween weekend of 2023. This memorial is dedicated to Harrison Boonstoppel, who was an innocent victim in the incident.
Harrison’s mother, Brucie, fondly recalls her son’s adventurous spirit and his love for connecting with others. Her South Tampa residence, adorned with wind chimes and a thriving butterfly garden, serves as a constant reminder of Harrison’s presence.
“Whenever the butterflies appear, I grab my camera and imagine Harrison saying, ‘Hey,'” Brucie Boonstoppel shared, capturing the essence of her son’s enduring spirit.
Harrison’s life was marked by courage and determination from the start. Born prematurely, he spent many years overcoming significant health challenges. Brucie remembers a time when doctors questioned whether he would ever walk or speak.
“He faced life with a smile, even with leg braces and a feeding tube. I remember him holding a lizard, grinning from ear to ear, unfazed by anything,” she reminisced.
He took that attitude even further into his teenage years, when he still had physical handicaps that couldn’t stop him from ziplining, doing back flips, skateboarding, and mountain climbing.
“He was just an amazing person,” she said.
A year after graduating from high school, Harrison Boonstoppel was tragically killed during a shooting in Ybor City. His mother said that moment doesn’t take away from the victories he saw in life. And a park in Tampa is being dedicated to his life, acknowledging those victories along the way.
“That’s why I think it’s perfect for him,” said Brucie Boonstoppel.
The newly named Harrison Boonstoppel All Abilities Park will reflect his determination. The park is designed to give children of all abilities a place to explore and connect. It features equipment for children with physical, cognitive, and sensory needs, and for those who use wheelchairs.
The idea and Harrison Boonstoppel’s story brought tears to Tampa City Council members who unanimously approved the dedication last year.
“Harrison’s life, it just uniquely fits into what this park is all about,” said Councilmember Luis Viera.
As her son speaks to her, Brucie Boonstoppel said he continues to be her inspiration.
“The pain of losing a child, it’s every day. But I feel not just therapeutic for me, but I want to do this. I want to make it better so that he sees me marching on forward anyway,” said Brucie Boonstoppel.
The park is located at Cypress Creek Nature Preserve. The dedication is Saturday. You can learn more about his family’s efforts to honor his life here.