Crystal To Unveil Barway Collins Memorial Statue on Oct. 5
Nearly 10 years after tragedy, a memorial for a slain Crystal child is set to be complete next month.
Barway Collins was killed by his father on March 18, 2015. He was 10 years old.
Barway lived in Crystal, just across from Becker Park. Now, a Barway memorial is being installed in the park.
Right now, a concrete slab stands next to a bench on the south end of the park. Soon, atop it will stand a bronze statue of Barway at play.
Concept art of the Barway Collins memorial from 2021.
Organizer Jeff Kolb, who is also a former Crystal council member, said this memorial has been in the works for a few years. A GoFundMe started in August 2021 raised $21,160 to create and install the memorial.
“It was almost effortless. And that’s not a testament to us in any way, or our fundraising ability. I think it’s a testament to how much the story resonates with the residents around here,” Kolb said.
Kolb said Barway’s mother approved the project and design. Kolb, along with his wife Erin Kolb, organized the project. Nancy LaRoche, a city council member, came up with the design concept. The city of Crystal partnered in the project as well.
The memorial will be installed within the next few weeks. The dedication ceremony is at 10 a.m. on Oct. 5. Kolb said there will be a short presentation with guest speakers.
The ceremony is open to the community.
A photo of then-10-year-old Barway Collins.
