Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
WEST JORDAN — A new, $500,000 playground in West Jordan will be named after a 6-year-old girl who was kidnapped, raped and killed nearly two years ago.
The West Jordan City Council decided to name the new playground the Sierra Newbold Playground during its March 12 meeting. The council said the name will honor the girl’s life and the ongoing efforts of her family to fight child abuse.
The new playground will be at Ron Wood Memorial Park, 5900 W. New Bingham Highway.
An official ribbon-cutting is scheduled for May.
The all-abilities playground is meant to include kids with special needs, physically and intellectually.
On June 26, 2012, Sierra was found dead in a canal near her home at 2383 W. 7095 South. She had been taken from her home, sexually assaulted, strangled and then drowned.
Sierra's mother, Kathy Newbold, said she and her husband Brad have "good days and bad days still," when they remember the death of their daughter. She added, however, that their community has helped them through difficult times.
"We've had such an outpouring of love from our friends and family and our neighbors," Newbold said.
In as much as we can keep this issue in front of our citizens, let them know it's still an issue, that that certainly will help.
–Rick Davis, West Jordan City manager
West Jordan City manager Rick Davis said the playground is one way to keep child abuse prevention in the forefront of people's minds.
"In as much as we can keep this issue in front of our citizens, let them know it's still an issue, that that certainly will help," he said.
Davis believes that the memory of Sierra can "continue to have an impact on this crusade against child abuse" through the new playground.
"They take tragedies and turn them into things that bring communities together and creative a positive memory for these individuals," he said.
Terry Lee Black, 42, who lived in the young girl's neighborhood, was arrested a few days after Sierra was found and charged with aggravated murder. Black's case has been on hold for several months pending a decision from the Utah Supreme Court as to whether a judge or a magistrate should oversee his mental competency hearing.
Contributing: Vivian Vo-Duc
