THE first designs have been released of a new play space being created in memory of murdered Bendigo baby, Zayden Veal-Whitting.
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The space will include butterfly shade sails, a fairy house, water play, a raised sandpit with wheelchair access, a sculptural fence and caterpillars made from reclaimed tyres.
The City of Greater Bendigo has allocated a section of a large new play area at Lake Neangar in Eaglehawk, for Zayden's family to dedicate to their little boy.
The idea of Zayden's aunty, Angie Whitting, the Where Angels Play playground will be a bright, happy space allowing the community to remember a happy little boy as he was, rather than with overwhelming sadness and shock.
Angie, Zayden's father James Whitting and stepmother Michelle Kneebone along with Zayden's mother Casey Veal and her family, have been fundraising to bring the project to fruition.
"We think this is a good way for people to remember Zayden by,'' Angie said.
"It's so nobody forgets him, but also for his brother Xavier to have a happy place to go and remember his little brother.''
Zayden was killed in his cot in the early hours of June 15, 2012. Harley Hicks was committing a series of burglaries when he entered Zayden's home and bludgeoned him to death with a home-bade baton.
Hicks was found guilty of Zayden's murder by a Supreme Court jury and sentenced to life imprisonment with a non-parole period of 32 years. He was this week refused leave to appeal his sentence.
Zayden's family has been working with the City of Greater Bendigo to create the space and the first designs were released this week.
Angie yesterday said she was excited to see the project moving forward and was thankful to those who had already donated.
"Everything is finally coming together and I can't thank James, Michelle, the Bendigo council and the community enough for all their support,'' she said.
It is now hoped sponsors will come forward to help fund specific items to be built.
Further fundraising events will be held throughout the year, including a masquerade ball mid-year at the All Seasons, a skydive by Casey and her partner Jono next month and the sale of Zayden's Army tshirts.
"The playground will be somewhere where we can go with Xavier as a family and remember Zayden and somewhere for Xavier to go and remember that he will never, ever be forgotten... which is his biggest worry,'' Casey said.
For further information visit the Zayden's Memorial Playground Where Angels Play or the Zayden's Army Facebook pages.
To donate to the Zayden's Memorial playground fund: BSB 083704 NAB bank account 839006969.
