This is personal to me because this is about children — real children, in real communities, who deserve to be safe, protected, and cared for.

When a child’s life is lost, it doesn’t just affect one family. It changes a community. It makes you look at playgrounds, streets, schools, and public spaces differently. You start thinking about how easily childhood can be taken, and how important it is that adults never stop working to protect them.

A memorial like this is not about the past — it’s about creating a future where our children can play and grow in safe environments. Naming a public park or playground in Joplin after Clessie Crawford isn't just about memorializing a life lost too soon; it’s a step towards centering child safety in our local community.

Clessie Crawford was a vibrant spirit taken too soon, and in naming a park after her, we immortalize her memory and promote a space dedicated to the joy and security of children — values that she held dear. The Joplin City Council has the authority to name public spaces, and this action would send a powerful message about our community's commitment to child safety.

According to the National Program for Playground Safety, safe playgrounds play a crucial role in children's development by providing a secure space for physical activity, which is essential for their health and social skills. In the US, more than 200,000 children are treated annually in emergency departments for playground-related injuries. By dedicating a park to Clessie, we don't only commemorate her life but also prioritize these safety concerns.

Joplin, Missouri, is a thriving community that continuously seeks to enhance its public spaces for the well-being of its citizens, especially its youngest. Clessie’s park would serve as a daily reminder of our shared duty to protect and care for our children, and as a beacon of hope and resilience for all who visit.

Join us in urging the Joplin City Council to honor Clessie Crawford by naming a park or playground in her memory, making it a haven for children, and a physical commitment to their safety. Your signature can help turn this vision into reality, ensuring a safe space for generations to come. Please sign this petition today.