Statue in Mattie Stepanek Park unveiled

From The Gazette Gaithersburg, Md.:

Jeni Stepanek greeted the life-size statues of her son and his service dog Micah this morning as they arrived at the Peace Garden in the park named for Mattie J. Stepanek in Rockville's King Farm community.

The statues, sculpted by renowned artist Jimilu Mason and cast in bronze, arrived from Italy in time for the dedication ceremony on Oct. 18.

Matthew J.T. "Mattie" Stepanek was a poet, internationally known author and Muscular Dystrophy Association goodwill ambassador who died in 2004, just shy of his 14th birthday, from a rare form of muscular dystrophy.

He had lived in King Farm before his death. His mother still lives there, in an apartment overlooking the park.

He authored five books of poetry that made the New York Times bestseller list, gaining international attention and the friendship of such notables as Oprah Winfrey, Jerry Lewis and former President Jimmy Carter, who spoke at his funeral.

The Peace Garden, which will be seen along Piccard Drive, will feature the sculptures of Mattie and his service dog Micah at the center of a seating area with concrete chess tables.

Plans for the garden show circles and winding paths that represent "concentric circles of support" and the "river of kindness," which were themes in Mattie's poetry.

The dedication ceremony for the park will begin at 10 a.m., hosted by the Mattie J.T. Stepanek King Farm Foundation. Before the sculptures are unveiled, a 100-voice choir will sing a song written especially for the ceremony, based on Mattie's final peace speech.

Entertainment will include musical performances, a continuous chess match, Bank Shot basketball demonstrations, games, poetry readings and food vendors.

When completed next year, the 26-acre park will include two football fields, a softball field, a pavilion, concession stand and restrooms.