Mom works toward park that celebrates kids, mourns losses

In the summer of 2004, Zeigler gave birth to twins — a boy, Mason, and a girl, Alexis, each weighing only about 2 pounds. The babies were born several weeks early, and while their bodies were fragile, both were expected to pull through initially. But within a matter of hours, Alexis took a turn for the worse and died. Mason’s life also hung in the balance, but little by little, he improved and after three months in the hospital, he finally went home.

“One of the hardest things I ever had to do was leave the hospital without the babies I had when I checked in,” Zeigler said on a recent morning from her home in Canton.

Zeigler sought out spots to help her cope. Cemeteries didn’t feel right. “Too depressing,” she said. Parks and playgrounds also didn’t resonate.

“My heart ached for a way to recognize the life of my daughter. Alexis’ life on earth was so short yet she forever left an impression on the lives of those who held her, loved her and had to let go of their dreams for her,” she said. “I also wanted to celebrate the miracle of my surviving son. I had this very strong urge — I believe a calling — to visit a park that didn’t exist.”

So Zeigler embarked on a journey to create a special park to celebrate the lives of children — not only of those who have passed but all children, including surviving siblings and children with special needs. In doing research, Zeigler came across the Children's Park in Tyler, Texas, which provided inspiration and a model for building a similar park here.

In 2005, Zeigler became executive director of Remember Georgia's Children Foundation, the nonprofit organization building the Children's Park of Georgia.

Meanwhile, in 2009, Zeigler and husband Jeff welcomed their third child into the world: Meredith Alyson Zeigler was born full term without any complications. Mason is now a 10-year-old boy who is thriving.

All the while, Zeigler never stopped working toward her goal of opening this unique park with trails forming the shape of a butterfly.

Zeigler’s foundation is closing in February on a 4 1/2-acre tract of land with the opportunity to expand to 10 1/2 acres at the corner of Pope Drive and Pope Circle in Canton.

The park will feature open space for children to run around and play, and quiet areas with gardens to pray and reflect. The garden will feature poems etched in stones. Just like the park in Tyler, Texas, the plans for this park in Georgia include enormous, adorable monuments like teddy bears — big enough to climb on.

The paved trails in the park will be lined with names of children — those living and those who have passed. The park is planned for a mid-2016 opening.

The organization has raised just over $40,000, and the park will require close to $1 million for completion. Several new efforts are underway, including a music concert benefit and a “Butterfly Kisses” Run planned for early next year.

Remember Georgia’s Children Foundation has eight board members, three of whom have lost a child.

Over the years, Zeigler has met other parents who never found a place “that felt right” to honor their child’s life.

One of those parents is Pam Cavender of Ball Ground.

“After going through labor and seeing a beautiful child born — and she was gone within an hour,” said Cavender, whose newborn daughter died from complications during the delivery. “I didn’t like putting flowers on the grave. It never felt like enough. I have looked for, and have prayed for something or some way to honor my daughter.”

Cavender, who learned about the park recently and became a board member about six months ago, said she loves that the park will be designed to be a fun place for children to play.

“I see it as a place of solace, it’s a place where a tear or two can be shed, and you can see children playing and it’s a reminder the world is a better place because of children.”

Cavender recognized the board members have a long way to go to secure sufficient funding for the park, but she is hopeful that momentum is building for the park.

She had a second daughter, Lyndsey, who is 36 years old. Courtney would be 37 years old.

“I didn’t talk much about Courtney to Lyndsey because it was a sad thing,” said Cavender, who is now 62. “But Lyndsey grew up knowing she had a sister in heaven, and she’s always felt like she had an angel on her shoulder.”