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The memory of Rachel D’Avino, one of the 26 victims gunned down in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings, now has a permanent home in Asbury Park.

At a dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony Saturday, before the purple ribbon that surrounded the playground on Asbury Park’s 7th Avenue beach was cut, before anyone stepped up to a microphone to give a speech, or to to convey a memory of Rachel D’Avino, children had ducked underneath the ribbon to play on the structure.

No one seemed to mind. It was a fitting tribute to someone who dedicated their life to children – particularly those with special needs.

If D’Avino was there, “she would have been standing off to the side, it was always more about the kids,” said her sister, Sarah D’Avino.

Sarah, her sister Hannah and their mother Mary, along with extended family and friends, made the trip down from Connecticut to help officially open the playground and to unveil a sign that dedicates the park to the memory of Rachel.

It is the sixth completed Sandy Ground Project playground.

The goal of The Sandy Ground project is to build 26 playgrounds in communities affected by Hurricane Sandy across the coasts of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut to honor 26 lives lost in the Sandy Hook Elementary school shooting on Dec. 14.

A donation from the Jules L. Plangere, Jr. Family Foundation – a Florida-based non-profit corporation founded by the original owners of the Asbury Park Press newspaper– funded the $75,000 Asbury site project.

Dee Pellegrino, marketing director for Press Communications, LLC and representative of the Plangere Foundation, said Jules L. Plangere, Jr. was “immediately moved” when he heard Rachel’s story and asked to fully fund her playground in Asbury Park.

The New Jersey state Fireman’s Mutual Benevolent Association [NJ FMBA] is the project’s coordinating organization.

William Lavin, president of the NJFMBA, is the founder of the Sandy Ground Project: Where Angel’s Play. His idea to build 26 playgrounds was born through a series of events that stem back to the collapse of the two World Trade Center Towers on Sept. 11, 2001, his wife, Kathy Lavin, previously told the Sun.

While Lavin was not present the day Rachel D’Avino’s park was constructed due to work commitments, he presided over the dedication ceremony.

The park now stands as a celebration of life and what Rachel stood for, Lavin said.

The overall design of the individual playgrounds incorporates the likes and interests of the victims they honor. Rachel’s playground is purple and reflects elements of her love for dragonflies along with her passion for working with autistic children.

The Asbury Park location for Rachel’s park suits the D’Avino family well, Lavin said. “They are free spirits in every way, shape and form.”

Sarah D’Avino, Rachel’s sister, said Rachel would have loved the Asbury Park location of her playground.

“She would absolutely love that it is near the ocean,” she said. Plus, Rachel was a big Bruce Springsteen fan, according to Sarah, so the city’s ties to Springsteen are also a big plus.

“I think she would have loved it – the old buildings, the history,” said Adrienne Hoffman, one of Rachel D’Avino’s closest friends.

For Lavin, serendipitous events like that work out all the time in regard to The Sandy Ground: Where Angel’s Play.

“It really is a blessed project,” he said.

After Lavin spoke with the family of Olivia Engel, who also liked dragonflies, he said he walked out the door and a dragonfly flew over his head. Little signs like that keep happening to Lavin, he said.

“It just can’t be coincidental,” said Lavin.

Just as Mary D’Avino, mother of Rachel D’Avino, stepped up to the microphone to thank everyone for their attendance at the ceremony, a plane with a sign that read “Greetings to Asbury Park, Love Rachel…Where Angel’s Play” flew along the coastline in front of the park. Mary D’Avino choked up.

“Once again, our pilot has impeccable timing,” said Lavin to the crowd.

Mary D’Avino, said Rachel “loved the beach.”

“She was always making trips to the beach,” she said. Rachel also took the time to take her students and former students to parks, because it provided “a relaxed atmosphere. She knew you could do so much more when [her special needs students] were comfortable.”

“She was everything that defined the word hero,” said Mike Chevolino, president of the Jersey Shore Autism Foundation.

“Rachel is not just a hero, she is a superhero,” Lavin said.

Rachel D’Avino was a big fan of superheroes, said her sister Hannah. In her death, many who knew her say she became one herself when she used her own body to shield students from the gunman’s bullets.

At the dedication and ribbon cutting, members of the 501st Legion’s Northeastern Remnant, a group of Star Wars enthusiasts in official Star Wars garb, were there to honor the memory of Rachel.

During the ceremony, Councilwoman Amy Quinn presented the D’Avino family with a proclamation naming August 24 as Rachel D’A vino Day in Asbury Park [photo at top].

“[The park] allows Rachel’s spirit to live on, here in Asbury Park,” said Councilwoman Amy Quinn.

“It provides us with a lasting memory of Rachel. I’m hopeful that parents will explain to their children why the playground is here,” said Mayor Myra Campbell.

“I think it’s fantastic,” said Asbury Park Fire Chief Kevin Keddy. Keddy was the Asbury Park contact for Lavin, and helped to secure the park’s location on the 7th Avenue beach.

Keddy also said it “feels good” to be able to turn a negative event into something positive for people to enjoy.

“It’s beautiful,” said Councilman John Moor. “The AP Fire department and the NJFMBA are to be commended.”

“It was a lot of work, but it was a lot of fun, too,” said Robert Fahnholz, president of the Asbury Park Professional Firefighter’s Association Local 384 and chairman of the Asbury Park build. “It was truly a moving experience.”

[Photo at top: From left to right, Sarah D’Avino, Mary D’Avino, Hannah D’Avino, Councilwoman Amy Quinn and Bill Lavin.]

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