A Carman playground reopened Wednesday as a place of healing, remembrance and community after being transformed into a memorial honouring a local mother and her three children who were killed in a tragedy that shocked the province.
Dozens gathered at the Friends and Family Playground on Sept. 24 for the unveiling of the Clearwater Memorial Playground upgrades, which include new play features, landscaping, shade structures, a memorial stone and a series of bronze turtle sculptures symbolizing time, endurance and lasting legacy.
The upgrades were dedicated to Amanda Clearwater and her children — Bethany, Jayven and Isabella — who were killed alongside their cousin Myah-Lee Gratton in February 2024. Their deaths prompted an outpouring of grief and a renewed determination in the community to create a space that would honour their memory.
The project, which cost roughly $110,000, was supported by provincial funding, municipal contributions and significant community fundraising. Its roots date back to a planned playground refresh, but the events of 2024 gave the initiative new meaning.
During the ceremony, emcee Lisa Lehman reflected on how the community responded in the days and weeks after the tragedy — and how those acts of compassion laid the foundation for the memorial that now stands.
“Today marks a truly special occasion as we gather to celebrate the reopening of the Friends and Family Playground and the unveiling of the Clearwater Memorial — a milestone made possible through the vision, dedication and collaboration of so many,” Lehman told the crowd. “In early 2024, our community was shaken by an unimaginable loss, a tragedy that touched the hearts of many. But in the midst of sorrow, something remarkable happened. People came together, offering meals, creating space for connection and simply showing up for one another.”
From that collective strength, she added, came a shared desire to do more — to create something meaningful and lasting.
“This is a place that will not only honour those we lost but also offer joy, healing and connection for generations,” she said.
Lehman highlighted the collaboration behind the project, noting the five local organizations — Carman Communities in Bloom, Carman Wellness Connections, Boyne River Keepers, the Carman and Community Chamber of Commerce, and the Town of Carman — that united around a common goal.
“What we celebrate today is the result of resilience, community spirit and the belief that even in the darkest moments, we can create something filled with hope and light,” she said.
Premier Wab Kinew, who also attended the ceremony, praised the community’s response and the legacy created through the project.
“This playground is a reminder of the lives that touched this community and the resilience that continues to define it,” Kinew said. “It is a legacy that will live on for a long, long time.”
The new playground blends joyful play with quiet reflection. Bronze turtle sculptures, chosen for their symbolism of time, endurance and family, anchor the memorial space, while new accessible play structures and pathways ensure children of all abilities can participate. A granite plaque engraved with a QR code links visitors to an online tribute page, which includes photos, memories and educational resources on domestic violence prevention.
Communities in Bloom representative Lee Collingridge spoke about the journey that led to the creation of the Clearwater Memorial Playground and the care that went into every part of the project.
“The story of how this playground and memorial came to fruition is lengthy in detail. It was a winding journey of endurance. Many, many dirty hands, long days and yes, even some tears,” she said. “A team of volunteers from local organizations came together to create a truly special place. It would not only enhance the quality of life for children and families in this area, but would also recognize the great loss of the precious Clearwater family.”
She said the design focused on accessibility and inclusion.
“The emphasis was placed on adding elements of play accessible to all abilities, promoting healthy minds through physical activity and social interaction — simply a beautiful place to be whether you are an adult or child.”
Collingridge also shared a message from Amanda’s parents.
“She expressed to me that she and Melvin do not want Amanda, Bethany, Jayven and Isabella to be remembered only as victims. They were beautiful, bouncing, vibrant people with unique personalities and likes and dislikes and love,” she said. “Perhaps we can remember them better as we watch innocent children laugh and tumble and play on these new structures and lovely turtles in a serene place that is rooted in nature and designed to include everyone.”
Boyne River Keepers representative Chris Larsen spoke about the meaning behind the turtle memorial and the powerful symbolism woven into its design.
“The turtle was chosen because of its deep significance in Indigenous teachings,” Larsen explained. “It carries the world on its back — a powerful symbol of endurance, wisdom and the sacredness of life. It reminds us of the strength it takes to continue forward, even in the face of unimaginable loss.”
Jake Goertzen was the natural choice to create this piece, bringing his experience and his gift as a sculptor together to reimagine turtles that would tell a story. Over the winter, he sculpted a clay model of Manitoba’s local western painted turtle. He transported this model to a foundry in Alberta, where it was cast and bronzed.
Larsen described how each piece of the bronze sculpture tells part of a larger story.
“The mother turtle, looking back toward her children, speaks to love, resilience and the unbreakable bond of family,” she said. “The smaller turtles capture the joy and innocence of childhood, while the largest, named Genesis, represents hope and the promise of new beginnings. Together, they show us that love and memory carry us forward, and that every life has the power to inspire change.”
Larsen shared a powerful story about selecting the foundation stone for the memorial, recalling how he and members of the Clearwater family travelled together to the Pembina Hills in search of the perfect piece.
“In truth, it felt as if the rock found us,” she said. “Within it was a natural quartz vein that we recognized as a symbol of the river — a representation of the continuity of life’s journey forward.”
She explained that the finished sculpture is far more than stone and bronze.
“From an Indigenous perspective, the turtle is a foundation of life, a keeper of wisdom and a protector of family. This entire installation stands as a symbol of the sacredness of family ties and as a call for healing, protection and strength for all communities.”
Genesis House executive director Ang Braun spoke about the deeper purpose of the project and the message it sends about domestic violence, remembrance and resilience.
“We are gathered here today with heavy hearts but also with a sense of purpose,” she said. “This playground is dedicated to the memory of Amanda Clearwater and her children, whose lives were taken by domestic violence. Yet in the midst of the sorrow, we choose to create something that speaks of love, of joy, and of hope.”
Braun described the playground as more than a physical space.
“It is a place where children can laugh freely, where families can gather safely, and where life can continue in a way that honours those we have lost,” she said. “By standing here together, we send a powerful message: we will not forget, and we will not be silent. May the sound of children playing here remind us that hope can grow even from heartbreak — and may we carry the memory of the Clearwater family not just in our hearts, but in the way we live and care for one another.”
Other speakers included Reeve Cor Lodder of the Rural Municipality of Dufferin and Mayor Brent Owen of the Town of Carman.
Following the speeches, Kinew joined Minister Nahanni Fontaine, MLA Lauren Stone, Lodder, Owen and Clearwater Memorial Playground Project committee members for an official ribbon-cutting ceremony.
As the ribbon was cut and children rushed to explore the new play structures, the playground came alive once more — this time as a space infused with deeper meaning. It is a place for families to gather, for children to play freely and for the memory of Amanda, Bethany, Jayven, Isabella and Myah-Lee to endure.
“What we celebrate today is the result of resilience, community spirit, and the belief that even in the darkest moments, we can create something filled with hope and light,” said Lehman.
Following the ceremony, guests were invited to enjoy refreshments, tour the upgraded space and share in a community celebration designed to honour the victims’ memory while supporting one another in healing.
