The tragic death of Ava Ciampini, a three-year-old girl who died in a bouncy castle accident at LaSalle Park, has left her family and community devastated. As her father, Luca Ciampini, sits on a bench across from the splash pad where he used to bring his daughter, he hopes she's remembered for her beautiful spirit. Ava's sudden and tragic death has raised questions about safety protocols surrounding inflatable play structures, but Ciampini is focused on honoring his daughter's memory.
Ciampini describes Ava as a happy, silly, smart little girl who loved making people laugh. He recalls his mornings with Ava before daycare, weekend breakfast and coffee shop dates, and spending time with her at his gym. He says Ava was a great big sister to her one-year-old brother, Milan, and that she loved hugging him and making him laugh when he would cry and singing him songs.
The community has rallied around the Ciampini family, with a GoFundMe campaign raising nearly $480,000 and a memorial for Ava set up in the park. The family chose to donate Ava's organs, and Ciampini hopes she's remembered as a hero. He says, "We love our daughter, and her legacy will be remembered forever. I'm going to make sure of that."
The tragedy has also brought attention to the safety of inflatable play structures, and Ciampini acknowledges that this is a concern. However, he is currently focused on honoring his daughter's memory and finding solace in the love and support of his family and community. He says, "Everything that we do is for her."
The public memorial for Ava in Ouellette Park drew hundreds of people on Tuesday evening. The park holds special significance for the family, as it's where Ciampini asked his wife, Arielle, to be his girlfriend 18 years ago, and where he proposed to her 13 years later. The family has chosen to keep the tradition of bringing their family to the park alive, and they were present at the event.
Ava's death has left a profound impact on her family and community, and her legacy will undoubtedly be remembered forever. As her father, Ciampini is determined to honor her memory and find solace in the love and support of those around him.
