Memorial fundraising?

I have been trying to think of ways to honor my niece who was killed at her school last April, she was hit by a flagpole at her school, she was 5. The school is not cooperating and have used her name to further their own agendas, whole nother story. Anyway, Our family has decided to try and fund a community playground in her name, which she would have loved, however this is a lot more financially then we expected. I am looking for fundraising ideas that actually will raise larger numbers rather then the smaller (Car Wash, candy sale etc) fundraisers. What are some different fundraisers? How do we get the Community involved? The school turned ugly right after everything happened, so we can't turn to them for help or ideas. How long is too long to wait to start fundraising?? What steps do we have to take to make sure we have everything right?? I need serious answers, this is really a sensitive subject. Thank you in advance.