CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) — A local woman is trying to make a difference statewide after a 3-year-old accidentally drowned at Oak Grove Lake Park in February.   

Chesapeake mom Ashley Young heard about what happened and knew she had to do something.  

“I instantly cried,” Young said. “I can’t imagine losing a child, especially that way. I’ve taken my kids to this park quite a few times, and it’s so beautiful. But for this happen right here, it’s just tragic.” 

She is now working toward a goal of putting fencing around all city- and county-owned playgrounds in Virginia. She recently started a petition that urges state and local leaders to consider the idea.  

“Something like this could happen to another family,” Young said. “This could happen to me, and so to avoid all of that, it’s just safety measures that should be in place so that this doesn’t happen to anyone else.”

The petition has gotten close to 1,000 signatures from people across the state since it was started less than two weeks ago.  

“It’s really overwhelming how positive people have been and how supportive people have been,” Young said.  

She said that if it can’t be every playground, she hopes the ones near a body of water, or a roadway, would at least be considered.  

She added that she has heard back from one lawmaker so far and plans to continue reaching out. 

“Just having that barrier gives the parent more time to react,” Young said.