Tragedy struck our family when my brother Charlie died at the age of 22 years old on Father's Day 2012. As devastated as we were, we all knew he was meant to do so much more in life. We began putting together a sign up sheet for those who were interested in helping to honor his name. Almost a year later, that sign up sheet became an idea that has now morphed into a possible reality. Land that had been the home to several generations of BMX bikers and skateboarders was being sold and the trails, jumps, and obstacles that had been carefully honed throughout the years was now subject to trespassing. Outraged, my Mother went to the town meeting to express her heartache at my brothers sanctuary, as well as all the other teens and young adults in our area, being taken away. Many family discussions later, Charlie’s eldest niece said “Let’s build a skate and bike park.” For a 13-year-old it seemed so simple, but wait, why couldn’t it? was born. What better way to honor Charlie’s memory than to create a place he would love in which everyone in the community could enjoy!
