The city of Tampa will dedicate a new inclusive playground this weekend honoring the life of Harrison Boonstoppel, who was killed at the age of 20 as an innocent bystander while in Ybor City by a 14-year-old in 2023.
Born prematurely alongside his twin sister, Ava, Boonstoppel’s earliest years were spent overcoming significant medical challenges, including reliance on a feeding tube, a hearing disorder, and mobility limitations that required leg braces, according to a news release announcing the dedication. Doctors once questioned whether he would ever walk or talk, but he grew to do both.
In the years since his death, his family has sought to channel their grief into advocacy and community-building efforts, particularly for children facing developmental and physical challenges.
On Saturday, Tampa officials will unveil the Harrison Boonstoppel All Abilities Park. Located within the Cypress Creek Nature Preserve in New Tampa, the playground features “inclusive” equipment designed to accommodate children of all physical, cognitive and sensory abilities.
Saturday’s dedication includes remarks from elected officials like Tampa City Council member Luis Viera and Boonstoppel’s family and friends, and a commemorative sign bearing Boonstoppel’s name will be installed. The ceremony, planned for Saturday, is private — although it is open to the media.
“In the face of unimaginable loss, the Boonstoppel family has chosen to celebrate Harrison’s life by uplifting others, particularly children who face challenges similar to those he overcame,” the city of Tampa wrote in a press release announcing the ceremony.
