Playground Honoring MoCo Plane Crash Victims To Open In September

GAITHERSBURG, MD — Work will begin in September on a playground dedicated to members of a Gaithersburg family whose lives were cut short in a tragic accident, city officials announced Monday.

Residents are invited to support the project during volunteer days, which will take place Sept. 12 through Sept. 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for Sept. 15 at 11 a.m.

The Gemmell Family Playground at Griffith Park is named in honor of the three family members who died in a plane crash almost five years ago.

On Dec. 8, 2014, a private plane crashed in the Gemmell's front yard, setting their house ablaze. Marie — a 36-year-old mother and wife — and her two sons, Cole, 3, and Devin, 7 weeks, were killed. At the time, her husband Ken was dropping off their daughter Arabelle to school.

Since the tragedy, Ken and Arabelle have wanted to design a playground in their memory.

The pair has teamed up with Where Angels Play Foundation to raise $100,000 for the project. The foundation builds playgrounds to honor families and communities following a tragedy.

"This is a chance to honor the memories of Marie, Cole, and Devin by building a place in their names where kids will laugh, play, and have fun," said Mayor Jud Ashman. "The City Council and I look forward to joining Ken and Arabelle, along with the Where Angels Play Foundation, in this wonderful endeavor."

SEE ALSO:

• Mayor: City's Thoughts, Prayers Go Out to Gemmell Family
• Plane Crash Survivor: 'Nothing Will Be Normal Again'
• Gemmell Employer Sets Up College Fund For Daughter