In 1999, Jennifer and Billy Dan Carson lost a baby boy named Braden.

Jennifer and Billy Dan Carson

 Their faith in God and each other brought them through some very tough times. Together, they felt this loss must count for something. Sometime after Braden's death, Jennifer's mom discovered Elena's Children's Park in Dallas. This park was a neighborhood effort designed to memorialize a child lost because of a tragic traffic accident. The community rallied and a beautiful, tranquil park materialized celebrating not only Elena's life, but also the lives of all children.

Jennifer's family and friends encouraged her to do something like this in Tyler. Her initial resistance was founded in uncertainty and the magnitude of the project. Doors started to open for Jennifer showing the way for this Park to become a reality in Tyler, Texas. Jennifer contacted the people in Dallas who had been instrumental in making that project happen. In January 2002, they volunteered to come to Tyler and work with Jennifer to get this project off the ground.

Meetings with city officials, the Parks and Recreation Board and the City Council resulted in the City voting to become a part of this unique and unprecedented initiative to celebrate and memorialize the lives of children.

Video Clip

As word began to spread about plans for the park, Jennifer's friends, community leaders, church groups, clubs and other parents began to call and offer support for the project. Over and over again, people were saying they felt the need to have a place where children were celebrated. The prevailing thought was that this park will be a unique and wonderful way for the City and its citizens to honor and celebrate the lives of children. It will provide a place of quiet reflection. It will be a place for families and friends to go, besides a cemetery, to reflect, to celebrate, to grieve, to heal. It will be a special place in our city that says to all our children- you are special and honored.

Tyler is known for its beauty and wonderful sense of community. This park not only serves to enhance the aesthetics of our town - it makes a statement about the passion and unity of our citizens. As the citizens of Tyler have taken ownership of this project, it has become a real point of pride adding to the quality of life in our town. The park reminds us all that children are a focus from which we grow; a focus of newness and joy.

The Children's Park is a passive park rather than a playground. It includes life size bronze statues of children, life-size solid granite bears, a children's story circle, two waterfalls gently flowing into a fish pond, and a beautiful butterfly garden. Cobblestone walkways wind through the park with benches along the way and children's names engraved along the edges. The Children's Park will be …

"a lasting legacy for generations to come.
An opportunity to honor our children in a very special way."