By Jasmine Willis
WAYLAND – The Dinky Doo Petting Zoo and Pony Rides Too is holding a dedication ceremony for Leah Clark on Nov. 8.
Leah Clark, 6, of Wayland had her young life cut way too short in a car accident on Route 63 on Sept. 14.
The community has been in an outcry ever since trying to honor this little girl’s memory. The E.J. Cottrell Memorial Library patrons donated an Apple Tree in honor of Leah Clark to the petting zoo. The dedication ceremony for is Nov. 8 at 1 p.m. at Dinky Doo Petting Zoo and Pony Rides Too.
Cherie Carter, Dinky Doo Petting Zoo and Pony Rides Too owner said she has been devastated that not more is being done for this little girl and her family. Jessica Levinson contacted Carter about the Apple Tree donation.
“Jessica had some little ones of her own and I could tell this meant a lot to her. She was very emotional about this tragedy. She talked to me about how the Atlanta Library was going to donate an Apple Tree in little Leah’s memory,” Carter said. “We are going to plant it right by the Dinky Doo Barn. I want to raise some funds for a bench too. I would like to have a bench put next to the tree, so people can sit by it. I would like to have a praying Angel by the tree as well.”
Carter has $1,000 worth of damage done to her property after the accident. Derek Clark had no insurance to cover it. So, the family has been working on helping her raise money for the damage done to the sign.
The family has been thinking of other ways to honor Leah Clark. The memorial site at the sign still stands as people drive by. There are butterfly pins at the zoo for a donation. Now this tree will stand at the zoo for all time.
Carter added that Covid 19 has hurt many small-town businesses like hers over the last few months. Most of the people who came to her zoo and leather shop were strangers. She misses seeing the community support. The little ones like Leah Clark who always came to her zoo.
Dinky Doo Petting Zoo and Pony Rides Too is located at 1864 Rt. 63 in Wayland. The hours of operation are Thursday to Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. They can be reached at 585-978-5611.