CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Parks officials are planning to name a new pavilion in honor of Kyle Plush, the 16-year-old who died after becoming trapped in his minivan last spring.
The Board of Park Commissioners voted on Thursday to approve the plan for Stanbery Park in Mount Washington. A state grant will cover costs of design and construction.
Parks Director Wade Walcutt noted in a memo to the board that Kyle's grandparents, Joe and Judy Zehren, have contributed to the park for years as volunteers, helping maintain the park, planting, building bird houses and assisting with meeting and events.
Kyle also had deep connections to the park, according to Walcutt's memo. At age 6, he began as a "nature detective" at camp, examining plants and animals and collecting pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House.
At age 13, Kyle became a counselor in training at the park.
"It was amazing to watch this little boy became a young man who was great with small children," Walcutt wrote. "He was patient, attentive and kind."
Since Kyle's death, his parents have been advocating for 911 system reform. He had called 911 twice as he was trapped in the minivan in a parking lot for Seven Hills High School, but help never arrived.
