Eva Plimmer’s legacy was celebrated by around 300 people at Discovery Park in Meridian for the opening of a ninja park designed by the late 11-year-old. The design is inspired by the reality television series American Ninja Warrior, which was Plimmer’s favorite. 

Last fall, Plimmer got the opportunity to meet the Kingdom Ninja, American Ninja Warrior champion Daniel Gil. He returned to Meridian to honor Plimmer’s legacy and inspire more Meridian youth at the opening of Plimmer’s ninja park.

“This is what the ninja community is all about,” said Gil. “It’s one of the fastest growing sports in the world because of the mindset of learning to overcome whatever obstacles you face in life, physical, emotional, mental, right?

“And so to meet a girl like Eva last fall and to hear about her dream of wanting to make this happen and then what she was physically going through, I mean that’s right up the alley of what we do on the show.”

Meridian Mayor Robert Simison addressed the crowd at 3 p.m. on Sunday.

“I just want to say on behalf of the City of Meridian, thank you for what you all have done, all of you, to make today a reality for the community,” said Simison. 

Shawn Plimmer, Eva’s father, spoke to the crowd next. He highlighted the role their family, community and faith played in giving Eva strength while she was afflicted with an inoperable brain tumor.

“Thank you so much for walking alongside us through a difficult scenario,” Plimmer said to the crowd.

“From the bottom of our heart, we‘re thankful to have a place that started out as a dream written on a piece of paper with a crayon and now we have this amazing park that will be here forever and we’ll all be able to come here and remember that Eva hand-picked each one of these obstacles. She picked out the colors, and when we look at it, we see her and we’re reminded about her strength,” said Plimmer.

The Plimmers then cut the ribbon to the park and dozens of children flooded the ninja course. After allowing children to play freely for about 10 minutes, organizers cleared the course and guided children through the course in timed trials. 

Gil personally spoke to and prepared every child before running through the obstacle course.

“My prayer is that every child and youth that comes here, to this park and enjoys it, has an opportunity to read the plaque that Eva put out there and to learn about her life,” said Gil.