New Park Honors Murdered Student

TACOMA - It was a crime that shocked and horrified the community 3 years ago, 12 year old Zina Linnik snatched from outside her Tacoma home and later found murdered. Tomorrow, the community will break ground on a new playground to honor her near her family's home.

It started with a vision from the young minds at McCarver Elementary School like 4th grader Tristan Brouwer and 5th grader John'nay Nelson.

"There gonna have a big circle where you can sit and read, there's gonna be a poem to Zina," said Nelson.

"And, we're gonna have an aerial aquarium which is going to be fish on sticks," said Brouwer.

And, after three years of spent raising millions of dollars for it, it's finally time to build the tribute to their former classmate Zina Linnik.

5th grader Amber Tudela says it's the perfect memorial for Zina.

"It's just like a place to have people play safely and to remember Zina and know that she would always be remembered and not forgotten," said Tudela.

The Zina Linnik project started just 24-hours after the community learned the little girl had been murdered. Parents, students, and teachers decided right then and there to transform McCarver Park into something special, something she would have appreciated.

5th grader Cassie McDonnell says the community will be surprised by what they've done for Zina.

"I think they'll think it's pretty amazing, that all the kids did it and it's an amazing triumph," said McDonnell.

Of course, the park will have slides and other stuff kids like. But, more importantly its design is influenced by Zina' Ukrainian Heritage.

According to Tristan Brouwer that includes something the kids will tend to.

"We're gonna have a community garden, and school garden," said Brouwer.

All that work was done with some help from UW and UPS college students. Reading teacher Katie Thaut was amazed.

"To see all of a sudden these kids, they have math, they have science, but, now they have a park and it's become like a subject almost for them," said Thaut.

The kids are still selling t-shirts to help raise the final $600,000 they need. For Tristan Brouwer he says it's the best investment possible in making sure her spirit will live on.

"For Zina this park is going to bring her back to life. That's for sure," said Brouwer.

To protect the kids the park will have a new security gate and entryway. The groundbreaking ceremony is Wednesday afternoon at 2 at McCarver Park in Tacoma.

A new sprayground and playground will also be built in honor of Zina at nearby Wright Park another place Zina like to play. Both parks are expected to be done this fall.