Memory of Sox fan a gift for children

Victoria "Torie" Snelgrove will be remembered for years to come by those who visit Torie's Place Too, a playground built in her memory at the George Mitchell Middle School in East Bridgewater, a school she once attended.

The college sophomore was fatally wounded outside Fenway Park in October 2004, when Boston police shot pepper pellets into a crowd of fans reveling after the Red Sox defeated the Yankees to win the pennant.

Shortly after Snelgrove's death, her parents, Richard and Dianne, established a memorial fund in her name. Last year, the fund paid for Torie's Place, another playground built in West Bridgewater. The fund has also awarded scholarships in Torie's name, and purchased four glider-rockers for an area hospital.

"Torie was taken from us much too soon," her father, Richard, said as the East Bridgewater playground was dedicated yesterday. "In our hearts and in our minds, we see her face and hear her voice, and Torie is very pleased with what has been done in her name."

An army of 300 volunteers that included parents, children, school administrators, teachers, and area college students spent four days late last week assembling the playground equipment.

Most of them, along with the 1,000 middle school students, turned out for the dedication. Torie Snelgrove's 4-year-old niece, Ariana, was the first to try the swings, after the ribbon cutting was over.

Dianne Snelgrove said she and her husband try to focus on doing positive things in memory of their daughter, instead of dwelling on her tragic death.

Ironically, the playground dedication came as the Red Sox once again entered the playoffs with a game last night against the Los Angeles Angels.

Asked what's next, Dianne Snelgrove said, "Now we start looking for a new project."