Leanne LeBlond died in a fire at the Chruch Street Playground in 1976.

JAY – The dedication of a new monument at the Jay Church Street Playground will be held from 4:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 29. The monument, donated by Wiles Funeral Homes, honors the memory of Leanne LeBlond, a young mother who died in a fire on the site, along with the firefighters who saved her child. It also recognizes the many neighborhood families, civic organizations and businesses that contributed to make the playground possible.

Chisholm neighborhood families organized a campaign last year to establish the playground with support from the Healthy Community Coalition and its community health advocate Susan Gagnon. The local playground committee raised more than $8,000 from local civic and business organizations, HCC and the Bingham Program.

Colorful playground equipment selected by the neighborhood committee was installed on May 15 on the Church Street property by volunteers led by Jay building contractor Thomas C. Goding.

The playground property now owned by the town of Jay, was once the site of a 1976 tragic fire, which claimed the life of Leanne LeBlond in a three-story tenement building at 18 Church St. in Chisholm. The property was later developed into a playground, which over time had become outdated with unsafe equipment.

The new monument to be dedicated was installed on the playground site and honors LeBlond, local firefighters and all those who donated to the playground project. The monument will be unveiled at the dedication. This special event is open to community members.

For more information, phone Susan Gagnon at 645-3136 extension 5103.