Cary Leach's Irving Park Memorial Bench

My name is Briggy Thomas and I, like so many others, have been fortunate to be part of Cary Leach's Irvington/Tubman/Grant school community since our boys were small. We are all mourning the loss of our dear friend and would like to honor Cary with a memorial bench in Irving Park, one of the many places I think we will feel her spirit live on.

Cary and Randell lived next door to the park for over 15 years. Milo and Ginger grew up in the park—played in the playground, learned to bike and skateboard, and ran the fields playing frisbee, soccer, and baseball. They love walking amongst the fallen leaves and collecting acorns in the fall, and the way snow turns the park into a winter wonderland and the community would turn out to sled and play together in the snow.

We have identified a bench that Portland Parks could use support in refurbishing. It is near the top of Irving Park under big beautiful trees where Ginger performs aerial silks, near the bustle of the dog park where their dogs have played over the years, and with a quiet view of the naturescaped area. We will have a plaque made with a dedication to Cary that will accompany the bench. We hope it can be a place where all the people who love Cary can go to reflect, remember, laugh or cry - a place to be thankful for all that she was to us.

The application to Portland Parks will be submitted in January when the application process opens, and donations will be used to pay the Portland Parks fee for refurbishing the bench and to have the plaque made and installed. If there is any money left over, it will be donated to one of the charities identified by Cary's family.

Whether it's by donating, by visiting the bench when it's done, or both—thank you for joining us in creating this space to honor Cary and help heal the hurt in our hearts.