Work on Angels Park Memorial continues

EVANSDALE | On Friday, Tom Nichols was doing what he does most days -- tending to Angels Park Memorial at Meyers Lake.

The memorial, originally meant as a site of remembrance for Lyric Cook-Morrissey and Elizabeth Collins, has grown into much more.

The girls, cousins who were 10 and 8, went missing two years ago today. Their abandoned bicycles were found at Meyers Lake, and their disappearance spawned a massive volunteer search and several fundraising efforts, many of which are still ongoing.

The girls bodies were found by hunters nearly five months later at Seven Bridges Park near Readlyn.

As plans for Angels Park developed -- actual work on the site began in March 2013 -- the focus shifted from just the two young cousins to encompass memorializing others loved ones, including Nichols daughter, Lindsay, who at the age of 22 was murdered in March 2012.

Tom Nichols, chairman of Evansdales Parks and Recreation Board, has been involved in the project since day one.

I work second shift, so I am out here most mornings, he said, sometimes three to four hours a day. On Fathers Day, I spent the whole day here.

Working at the park can be emotional for Nichols.

But it helps me with my grief, puts me at peace, he said. And just like Lindsay was a beautiful girl, by the time its done, Angels Park is going to be beautiful.

So far, volunteers have cleared the island, installed a rock walkway, erected four gazebos and a shelter -- all with electricity -- planted flower beds, trees and some grass. The latest addition to the park is a large sculpture by artist Jim Davidson titled The Adventure, which depicts children climbing a mountain.

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Work on Angels Park Memorial continues