A Place for Angels: New Hamilton Playground will Honor Loss During Pregnancy

HAMILTON, NJ - A new playground is being built in Apollo Park.

Claire's Corner is inspired by the Easton family’s desire to honor their daughter, Claire, who passed away due to pregnancy complications in 2022. Claire’s mother, Brielle Easton, expressed the family's wish to create a safe and special space for families who have experienced similar losses, ensuring that their memory is honored and providing a supportive environment for the community.

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"My grandmother lived around the corner from Apollo Park for a very long time, and she passed away six weeks after we lost Claire. This location holds a special significance for our family," Easton told TAPinto Hamilton/Robbinsville. "We wanted to bring the community together around the topic of pregnancy loss and create a safe space for families to honor their losses and enjoy time with their other children."

On July 22, Hamilton Township announced its partnership with Where Angels Play , a non-profit organization, to build the space.. The project will involve significant improvements to the park, with volunteers efforts being largely responsible for constructing the playground over a number of days.

Where Angels Play Foundation was founded by former Bill Lavin, the longtime president of the New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association (NJFMBA) after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, CT. Lavin’s vision was to build 26 playgrounds in communities devastated by Hurricane Sandy, each one honoring a teacher or student lost in the Newtown tragedy. To date, Where Angels Play has constructed approximately 49 parks around the world, with plans to build more in the future.

“I want to thank Where Angels Play and the Easton Family for picking Apollo Park in Hamilton to locate Claire’s Corner,” Mayor Jeff Martin said. “Apollo Park needed improvements, and the new playground will be a warm and welcoming place for children and families for years to come. Plus, it is being done at minimal cost to taxpayers.”

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Construction of Claire’s Corner will begin on September 18, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for September 21. The new playground will be the second ond in Hamilton developed by Where Angels Play.

The Easton family also plans to include memorial plaques at the playground for families who have experienced pregnancy loss or stillbirth, ensuring that no one feels alone in their grief.

“We hope families feel safe bringing their kids here,” Easton added. “Our goal is to create a playground targeted at the zero to five age group, where every piece of equipment is safe for the little ones. We want it to be a place where families can honor their lost babies and let their other children play and have fun.”

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