Out of tragedy, often comes inspiration.

Members of the Taylor University community are building a playground at the Boy’s and Girl’s Club of Marion this week to honor the life and memory of Betsy Smith. She was one of five members of the Taylor University community who died in a horrific crash on I-69 in April 2006.

The Elizabeth “Betsy” Smith playground will be constructed by Taylor students, faculty and staff, as well as local volunteers.

The finished playground will provide the club with an outdoor venue and also provide Taylor’s ReaLife students, a student-led ministry, with an additional place to meet. Again, Jim Garringer.

Smith had been a co-director of ReaLife. The playground is being built in part from the proceeds of the Betsy Smith 5K running and walking event, held each fall since 2006.