Sebastian’s Playground Opens in Solon, Bringing Joy to Community

Sebastian’s Playground in Solon officially opened this past weekend, bringing a vibrant new inclusive play space to the community while honoring the memory of 4-year-old Sebastian Botirius who passed away in 2022.

Dozens of families gathered for the ribbon-cutting ceremony at Solon Community Park. Sebastian’s parents, Kip Botirius and Kelly Baylog, along with his brother Jackson, officially opened the playground that has been years in the making.

The special playground was inspired by Sebastian Botirius, who died in April 2022 after battling LRBA deficiency, a rare genetic disorder. Sebastian loved visiting playgrounds, and his final wish was to go to one. This prompted his parents to launch a campaign to build a play area that everyone could enjoy regardless of ability.

The playground features numerous inclusive elements designed to accommodate children of all abilities. Bright green and orange colors – Sebastian’s favorites – dominate the space, while special features reflect his love of dinosaurs and music.

The Botirius family raised over $150,000 for the project through their nonprofit organization, Sebastian’s Playgrounds. The family’s dream became a reality thanks to the generosity of Northeast Ohioans who contributed to the fundraising effort over the past three years. If you would like more information or would like to donate go to: https://sebastiansplaygrounds.org/

The playground includes features that were showcased during the grand opening celebration, creating a festive atmosphere for all who attended. Activities and play equipment were designed with inclusion in mind, ensuring children of all abilities can play together.

For Sebastian’s parents, the playground represents a way to transform their grief into something positive. While nothing can bring Sebastian back, the playground ensures that his memory lives on through the laughter and joy of children who will play there for years to come.

The playground is located at Solon Community Park, 6679 SOM Center Road, and is now open daily to the public.

Community members who visited the playground during its first days have given it high marks, noting how special it is that Sebastian’s short life has inspired something so meaningful for the entire community.

The Botirius family hopes this is just the beginning. Through their nonprofit, they have developed a model for fundraising and building playgrounds, with plans to bring similar inclusive play spaces to other communities.

Three years after Sebastian’s death, the playground that was born out of heartbreaking grief is now a source of great joy, a fitting tribute to a little boy who loved to play and wanted everyone to be included.