CLINTON - The Ultimate Play Space in Kiwanis Park was filled with children Wednesday evening, minutes before a candlelight ceremony to honor three children who never got the chance to play there.

At 8 p.m., the playing stopped. A large crowd of children and adults gathered to remember siblings Christopher Hamm, 6, Austin Brown, 3, and Kyleigh Hamm, 23 months. Their grandmother, Ann Powers, and other relatives released balloons in the children's memory and dedicated benches engraved with their names and picnic tables marked with plaques in tribute to them.

The children drowned after the car containing them went down a boat ramp and into Clinton Lake on Sept. 2, 2003. Their mother, Amanda Hamm, and her ex-boyfriend, Maurice LaGrone Jr., both 29, are charged with first-degree murder in connection with their deaths. Both have pleaded not guilty and are awaiting separate trials.

Powers said the tables and benches were paid for by a memorial fund for the children. The family plans to donate the remaining funds to help the city of Clinton add a water spray park to the play area. Powers said her grandchildren frequently played at Kiwanis Park before the Ultimate Play Space was completed. The children had talked about using the new play equipment, she said.

"Then this happened, and I couldn't come out here for a long time," Powers said.

She thanked friends, family and the community for their support.

"This is how we can use some of the funds to keep the kids' memory going," Powers said.

Family friend Belinda Rittenhouse spoke on behalf on the family just before the balloons were released, saying a Nov. 2 benefit raised the funds for the addition to the play space.

Ernie Harvey Jr., associate minister for First Christian Church in Clinton, offered prayers at the beginning and end of the ceremony. Harvey thanked God for the children and for the comfort and love provided by family and friends.

Powers later said her faith has helped her cope with her loss.

Marsha Wise, who attends church with the family, sang two songs during the service, closing with a song titled, "Angels Singing."

Powers dabbed tears from her eyes as Wise sang and later said she thinks her grandchildren's presence will be felt in the park.

"There are three little angels watching over them," Powers said.

Wise said the loss of the children has been difficult for the community, for those who knew them and those who never met them.

"Anything that happens to children, I think really rocks people," Wise said.

Stephanie Potter can be reached at spotter@;herald-review.com or 421-7984.