Tampa playground renamed to honor Harrison Boonstoppel's legacy of resilience
A Tampa playground now bears the name of Harrison Boonstoppel, a 20-year-old killed in the 2023 Ybor City mass shooting. The newly renamed Harrison Boonstoppel Playground was unveiled in a moving ceremony, celebrating his life and legacy.
The all-abilities space reflects the values he embodied: love, resilience, and inclusion.
Harrison Boonstoppel faced lifelong challenges from birth. Born prematurely, he relied on leg braces, a feeding tube, and a cochlear implant. Yet he graduated from Pepin Academies in 2022, living with determination and joy.
On 29 October 2023, he was among the victims of a mass shooting in Ybor City. Boonstoppel had arrived just minutes before gunfire erupted, suffering fatal injuries alongside a 14-year-old. Sixteen others were wounded in the attack.
In response, Tampa expanded youth mentorship programmes, invested over $10 million in mental health crisis intervention, and tightened weapon checks at public events. The city also renamed the New Tampa Community Park playground to honour Boonstoppel. Designed for children of all abilities, it ensures no child is left out.
At the dedication, a butterfly release and sign unveiling marked the occasion. His family continues to support anti-gun violence and mental health causes through the Harrison Bruce Boonstoppel Memorial Fund.
The playground stands as a lasting tribute to Boonstoppel's spirit. It offers a place where children—regardless of ability—can play together. Meanwhile, Tampa's policy changes aim to prevent future tragedies like the one that took his life.
