In a heartfelt display of community and remembrance, Davis has unveiled "Natalie's Corner," a splash pad located in Central Park to honor the memory of fallen police officer Natalie Corona, per reports from ABC10. Officer Corona, who was tragically killed in the line of duty in 2019, was remembered on Saturday during a gathering that welcomed families and first responders to enjoy the new community space.
Mirroring the joy that Officer Corona brought to her community, the splash pad, named "Natalie’s Splash Corner," represents a place of joy, designed for children and families to come together. Her father, Merced Corona, expressed his feelings at the event, stating, "Good things come out of bad situations, and this is definitely one of the highlights since the passing of Natalie and that unfortunate day," as told to ABC10.
The dedication attracted a large crowd to Central Park where attendees could see the splash pad adorned with personal touches that reflect Corona's character and the community's memories of her. "There’s a lot of little designs and they all mean something, so it’s just, it’s awesome that they were able to incorporate all of that," Jackie Bravo, Corona's sister, told ABC10.
Over half a million dollars were raised through community support to manifest this project, evident in every detail and crafted tile. Deanne Machado, City of Davis parks director, mentioned the intentional design reflecting Corona’s spirit, “She had a joyful spirit, that is the vibe and the energy that we see here today," according to an interview by CBS Sacramento. Additionally, Mariah Diaz, Corona’s best friend recalled a powerful moment, "It felt like that was me and her right there," she said, "it was all meant to be."
KCRA documents that city leaders encourage residents to visit, reflect, and honor a legacy that is, "honored now and always." As for the daily operations, the splash pad is open to the community from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. every summer day, a fact shared across reports from KCRA, ABC10, and CBS Sacramento.
