Regan Shetsky memorial opens at Wild Animal Park

CHITTENANGO (WSYR-TV) – Regan Shetsky loved summer trips to Chittenango’s Wild Park. Now, her smile is among the animals she adored through a new memorial in her honor.

The three-year old died in January when she was hit by a car in the parking lot of the Eastwood Baptist Church.

“It’s really, really heartwarming for us to see this,” Kelly Shetsky, Regan’s mother said standing alongside her husband, Mark. “It’s very emotional. It was more emotional than I expected when I saw it.”

Donations made the memorial possible along with volunteers who came together to construct it in time for the park’s opening.

“It’s always forever her corner and it will never change unless [the family] wants to add things to it,” Jeff Taylor, the Wild Animal Park’s owner said. “I want it to be a place where they can always feel like they can come and enjoy the park.”

Regan’s parents hope the memorial will be a place for other families to come, relax, and honor the spirit of their little girl.

“And just to remember Regan,” Shetsky said. “Because she deserves to be remembered. And this is one way to do it for us.”