When Danby Township resident Abe Sines took his three-year-old son, Taggart, to play at their church’s outdoor playground in Portland on March 29, 2005, he had no idea it would be the last time they would play together.
“It sounds strange,” Abe later reflected, “but the whole time he was laughing and smiling like a toddler does—just playing. It was almost like he knew it was his last chance to play like that.”
The following day, March 30, 2005, Abe and Connie experienced the unimaginable loss of their youngest son, Taggart Logan Sines, in a tragic fire that consumed their camper—a place that had often served as one of Tagg’s favorite play “forts.” Despite extraordinary and valiant efforts to rescue him, and the desperate attempts of Portland firefighters who responded to the scene, the family was left with the heartbreaking realization that their little boy was gone.
In their grief, they found comfort in the hope that Tagg was now playing forever with Jesus and with all the other children who had already made the journey to that wonderful place called Heaven.
Taggart loved ice cream, so during his visitation on April 1, 2005, at Portland Church of the Nazarene, ice cream sundaes were served as hundreds gathered to share in the family’s sorrow. At the Saturday morning celebration of his life, clips of some of Tagg’s favorite cartoons were shown. During the service, his father sang the words, “I’ve never been more homesick than now,” and balloons were released toward heaven.
The overwhelming outpouring of love and support—from family, friends, co-workers, and even strangers—deeply moved Abe and Connie. In time, they chose to channel their grief into something that could bless other children.
After speaking with their pastor, Tagg’s parents decided to help support the dream of creating an indoor playground in the expanding facility at Portland Church of the Nazarene. Their hope was to give back to the community that had so graciously surrounded them with love—a place where families could bring their children to play together. As Abe often said, “You never know what could happen.”
Family members, friends, and church members began organizing community benefit events to raise funds for the indoor playground, which would be built in Tagg’s honor. Numerous individuals and organizations generously donated money, materials, and supplies to help complete the 40-by-60-foot space, conveniently accessible from the River Walk.
Today, Abe and Connie—along with Tagg’s older brothers, Kelby Sines and Deven Walkington, and his sister, Abbygail Sines—welcome children from across the Portland community to a safe and joyful place to play, created in loving memory of Tagg. The family remains deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to making this special place a reality.
The original oil painting displayed in the playground was gifted in Tagg’s honor by author and illustrator Gary and Jan Bower, creators of the children’s book There’s a Party in Heaven. One line from the book beautifully captures the hope that sustains the family:
“The things that you’ll see and the things that you’ll feel
are not only nice—they’re completely ideal!
Think it’s pretend? No way! It’s all real—in Heaven!”
We miss you, Tagg. See you soon!