UPDATED: 1 p.m.
CAMDEN, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — A new park that opened in North Camden on Tuesday is dedicated to a little hero who was killed trying to protect his sister.
Dominick Andujar Park is named for the 6-year-old boy who was killed here in 2012 while defending his sister from an attacker. She was injured but able to escape to a neighbor's house.
Dominick’s family and neighbors wanted to revive the park in his honor, and the Trust for Public Land stepped in to fund the project.
His mother, Debbie Burgos, says Dominick had rare courage. Now this park is a place she can visit to find strength and reflect, she said.
"If I’m going through a bad day, I feel like I can come here and sit here and be able to enjoy peace of mind," she said.
Physically, the park at York and Front streets is unlike most. It includes a basketball court and a playground for kids, but there are also stationary bikes and elliptical machines for parents to use while the kids play.
"It gives me joy that ... my son will be able to live within the kids," Burgos said.
Related
And the kids love it. After a ride down the slide, one boy named Brian said he can’t wait to come back.
"My favorite part? Everything is my favorite part. It’s really cool," he said.
Camden Mayor Vic Carstarphen says revitalizing parks throughout the city is important, and the dedication of Dominick Andujar Park is part of an ongoing effort to rebuild playgrounds.
"It improves the quality of our life. It improves the morale in our communities," he said.
Carstarphen says he hopes the park will "become the heart of a healthy neighborhood and serve as a model for closing the park equity divide."
Related
