Family Spruces Up Rankin Park Where Toddler's Body Found

RANKIN, Pa.,None — Family and friends of 23-month-old girl gathered at the Rankin park where her body was found in 2007 to clean up the site to honor the child's memory.

Nyia Page's frozen body was found in February 2007 in the park, a few blocks from her Braddock home. Her father, William Page, 26, was convicted in March of first-degree murder, aggravated assault, sexual assault and falsifying a police report in her death. He was sentenced to serve life in prison without parole.

On Thursday, volunteers got to work at the park, now named in Nyia's honor. Landscaping crews and local residents had cleared out what was once an overgrown lot. Volunteers planted trees, spread mulch and started a vegetable garden.

"Nyia's death was so tragic, and Nyia was so beautiful," the child's grandmother, Carla Barlow, said. "She had an amazing will and we wanted that to continue."

She said family members wanted the park to be a place children can enjoy.

"It was a broken down playground," she said. "It was destroyed by nature. There was nothing here. It was scary and, all of a sudden, it's a place of beauty, it's a place where all kids can come."

"It's keeping her memory alive. It's a great park. I can't wait until it's done," said Nyia's other grandmother, Marianne Page.

William Page denied he sexually assaulted Nyia. He also testified that he fabricated his confession to police three years ago.

Previous Stories: March 26, 2010: Braddock Man Gets Life Without Parole In Toddler Death March 22, 2010: Braddock Man Convicted In Daughter's Death March 18, 2010: Braddock Man Continues Testimony In Daughter's Death March 16, 2010: Witness: Braddock Toddler Found Dead In Snow Sexually Assaulted March 12, 2010: Photos Of Dead Toddler's Tiny Footprints Bring Jurors To Tears March 10, 2010: Jurors Hear Mother's Frantic 911 Call In Braddock Toddler Death Trial February 12, 2010: Judge Ruling On Death Penalty In Death Of Braddock Girl May 5, 2008: Trial Delayed For Dad Accused In 2-Year-Old's Death February 9, 2007: Family, Friends Gather To Remember Braddock Toddler February 8, 2007: Father Charged With Braddock Toddler's Death February 6, 2007: Braddock Girl's Death Ruled Homicide February 4, 2007: Missing Braddock Toddler's Body Found