The Municipality and Ryan family are looking for input for the Memorial Park that is being planned for in Beacon Hill, in memory of Emily Ryan, who passed away on May 4, 2016 while evacuating the city during the wildfire.
In an interview on the one year anniversary of the wildfire, Emily’s Dad, Fort McMurray Deputy Fire Chief, Cranley Ryan said that he and his wife, Melanie, found solace in the neighbourhood, one of the most heavily damaged parts of the city.
READ MORE: Family finds comfort in park honouring cousins killed in crash escaping wildfire
From the area, Responders Way and Fire Hall #1 are visible and everyone driving south on Highway 63 will have a good view of the wildfire monument.
The couple were first hoping for a park bench, now the spot overlooking the city will be part of a combined memorial, both for firefighters and for Emily and her Aaron Hodgson who also passed away in the crash on Highway 881.
“Even now with nothing built, you stand there and you can feel this peace,” Melanie said.
“It already is offering that to us and it doesn’t even have a park name yet.”
There will be two public engagement session for residents to offer ideas and comments on the park, one on Wednesday, May 15 from 5 till 8 p.m. at MacDonald Island Park on the main concourse and a second on Thursday, May 16 from 5 till 8 p.m. at Good Shepherd Community School in Beacon Hill.
Additional public engagement opportunities will follow as the project continues to come together.
Feedback can also be given via an online survey.
