From Wallingford’s neighborhood-news site Wallyhood comes the story behind yellow ribbons and peals of laughter at Lowman Beach over the weekend: The replacement swingset installed last fall was dedicated in memory of Emma Kowalczyk, a Wallingford baby who died one year ago today. (More photos here.)
Very touching. It’s nice to know there was a reason behind the redo. Emma, my 17-month-old daughter loves to swing on this swingset and now we will think of you when we do. Thank you!
You know, I like the new “pit” around this swing set, but I don’t care much for the bark, and the swing set is so much less sturdy than the swing set it replaced. The sentiment is touching, and I’m so sorry for your loss, but maybe next time you can put a swing set somewhere that doesn’t have one, or keep it in wallingford and leave our nice swing set alone. it was old, but it was good. the new one is terrible.
@Jackie
For the record, we didn’t pick the swing set nor design the layout. That was all handled by the Seattle Parks Dept. They told us it needed to be replaced.
Sorry you don’t like the new swing set. You should complain to the Seattle Parks Dept, not us folks who are just trying to give back the community.
@Mattk, I am sure you would have loved to install the set in your area, and I feel honored that we have something that special gifted to us way over here. Thanks for your thoughtfulness and desire to turn pain into joy for some other kids.
@Jackie, wow. What a bouquet of pouty pickles that was! Poor form.
And I’ll confirm that, as we reported at the time, not knowing anything about this, it was a safety issue, per the Parks Department. I understand the nostalgia for the old swing set – my kid, now 13, and I walked down the hill many a time and both enjoyed that crazy ancient setup, and didn’t know in advance it was going away. But knowing about this, makes me see it in a whole new light and I will think of that warmly each time we walk down to Lowman this summer and beyond — TR
I just read parts of your blog and learned more about Emma. You have a beautiful family. Thank you for sharing your story. I’m going to go crawl in bed and snuggle with my kids. One thing I have learned from being a parent is that you just can’t take any time for granted. I don’t want to be an anxious overprotective mom but I really do appreciate what a gift my kids are and how fast things can change. Also, what a great way to commemorate your daughter through donating to the parks department. We have played on the swings and LOVE them. I feel very angry and hateful towards Jackie right now for her bitter comment but I also feel sympathy for her because anyone who would be so insensitive can’t be a very happy, well adjusted person. Please don’t let her comment get to you. We live near Lowman beach and see children enjoying the swings each and every day!
Thank you Matt, Ellen, Ella and Emma. You made a beautiful, wonderful choice, and a very generous gift to the children in the West Seattle community as well as their parents who will sit on those swings years after the kids are too old to hang with us. Coming from a town where there are few opportunities for such a gorgeous inspirational view, I couldn’t believe it when I saw the swings in that location, so much respect for children as there should be. I’m so happy for Matt’s family that they had our neighborhood as a choice. I only wish for them that they lived here so they could visit it whenever they want to.
Thank you wow. Jackie’s comment bothered me all night. I spent a long time on Matt’s site reading about Emma’s story, and was emotionally overwhelmed. Matt and Ellen were positive and hopeful from day one. Such an insensitive comment toward someone who has lost a child is truly in poor form whether you know the story or not.
I frequently walk to Lincoln Park, via Lowman, and will now think of Emma everytime I do do.
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TR, thanks for posting that info. When I first read Jackie’s comment the other day, I recalled your report from some time back, and tried a quick search for the info, to clarify the issue, but couldn’t find anything.
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Mike
Thank you for such a wonderful gift to the community, and I can not believe the comment made earlier about the quality of the swing (jerk!). How nice that a family from outside West Seattle has decided to make a donation to the community. I can’t wait to take my kids there.
@Jackie
What Matt, Ellen and Ella have gone through in the last year has been unbelievable. From the moment they knew that they was problems with the twins, they fought a courageous battle. For the four short months of Emma’s life they did everything they could do to save her. On April 6, 2008 as parents, they made the hardest decision they would ever have to make for Emma. How dare you criticize them in trying to give back to the community! They have turned their tragedy into something good for all the children in your neigborhood. I hope someday your own children will use the beautiful swing set and maybe, just maybe you can tell them the story behind it.
Matt, Ellen, Emma, and Ella,
Matt, Ellen, Ella, and Emma,
What you have done is to leave a beautiful legacy for a beautiful little girl. Please don’t allow other people’s comments to detract from what a beautiful thing you did for all of the little kids and adults who will get to use that swing set. I was angered by Jackie’s comment, however that does not make what you did any less giving and beautiful. Some people have no class and that’s all I can say. Please know there is a swing set in heaven and Emma is swinging on it and loving what you did in her memory!
Sorry, comment time is over.
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