Bonnie Clark’s spirit was so deeply felt at Rudd Park on Thursday afternoon you could almost hear the sound of children’s laughter during an event honouring her life and legacy.
Indeed, it seemed fitting that despite being surrounded by Clark’s friends, family and dignitaries, one youngster, Mijandro O’Connor, couldn’t wait to start using the new playground equipment being unveiled.
The sturdy, brightly-coloured structure erected on a thick wood-framed foundation covered with wood chips was the first instalment of Pacifica Housing Advisory Association’s playground replacement program.
“She was an amazingly kind woman, and when we talked about who Bonnie was and what she really believed in, what became clear was that a [commemorative] bench wasn’t going to be enough,” said Dean Fortin, executive director of the association that provides affordable housing and support services in Greater Victoria.
“She really loved children, and so a children’s playground was going to be the right thing for her. She really appreciated what they meant for the world.”
The tribute was held on the first anniversary of Clark’s death last year at age 51 at the subsidized housing complex at 3230 Irma St. where she lived and died.
A proud, fiercely-independent woman of Cree and Métis descent who loved children and cats, Clark was known for her upbeat nature, generosity and ability to overcome adversity.
“Through all of that she always had a good attitude,” said carpenter Pat Kennedy, recalling his friend of 34 years who became a quadriplegic after being viciously assaulted by her domestic partner in Sechelt in 1991.
“She was always the one who, if you felt down, all you had to do was talk to Bonnie and you’d go: ‘How bad could my life be?’”
Kennedy, one of Clark’s closest friends, donated time, talent and labour to construction of the new playground. He also suggested the bench, which will still be built.
The playground was built with $10,000 raised by Clark’s friends and through a community appeal by Pacifica Housing, and with materials necessary for curbing donated by The Jawl Foundation.
Clark, who was left in a comatose state after the domestic assault, almost didn’t survive, recalled Christine Knox, who was Clark’s florist when they first met a decade ago.
Although Clark’s dreams of becoming a registered nurse were dashed, the former health worker never lost her indomitable spirit, her friends said.
“She was a spectacular person,” said Knox. “Kids just gravitated to her naturally, so the playground is such a perfect tribute. It will keep her memory alive in a very physical way. She loved to hear kids laugh.”
When Clark passed away, she left behind few material possessions besides 82 gifts she had wrapped to be accompanied by handwritten notes she famously wrote.
“It would take her three days to write a letter,” recalled Kennedy, noting the gifts were distributed at her celebration of life. “Most people didn’t realize that the effort it took her to do that was just immense.”
Guests snacked on crackers and smoked salmon at the playground completion celebration highlighted by a traditional native smudging ceremony.
Describing himself as “half-Mohawk, half-British,” Glenn Patterson sang a Dakota song and drummed before inviting attendees to partake in the cleansing ritual with burning sweetgrass.
The initial gesture by Clark’s friends inspired Pacifica Housing to “pay it forward” by installing four new playground structures in more of its 35 complexes that provide homes for 1,500 children.
“I think it’s really going to lay down a legacy for the kids,” Fortin said. “Hopefully, they’ll understand when they grow up that no matter what situation you find yourself in, you can be inspired to do great things.”
To learn more about Bonnie’s Legacy and how to contribute to help replace more exhausted playgrounds, visit pacificahousing.ca or call 250-385-2131.
