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Park-Name Petition Gathers Signatures
Organizers seeking to name skate park for the late Tucker Hacking, who died in skateboard accident.
Tucker Hacking's name is on the fence at the Walnut Creek Skate Park.
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An online petition started on Thursday — seeking to name the Walnut Creek Skate Park in memory of Tucker Hacking, who died after striking his head in a skateboard accident a week ago — was over 900 signatures later in the evening.
Hacking, 20, of Walnut Creek, was injured Friday, Jan. 27, skateboarding on Juanita Drive on the border of Lafayette and Walnut Creek, went into a coma and died Sunday. "THacks" was a fixture at the Walnut Creek Skate Park adjacent to Heather Farm Park.
The city is trying to reach out to the organizers among Hacking's friends and to Hacking's parents to understand their wishes, said Barry Gordon, arts, recreation and community services director for the city of Walnut Creek. "The love and respect people have for Tucker is creating the desire in them to find an appropriate way to memorialize Tucker, and we can work with them," said Gordon.
A petition could be presented during the public comment period at upcoming meetings of the City Council or the Park, Recreation and Open Space Commission or the City Council at 7 p.m. Monday and 7 p.m. Tuesday, respectively, both at City Hall, 1666 N. Main St.
In 1996, the city adopted a policy of not naming public facilities after individuals, Gordon said.
A memorial service for Hacking is scheduled for noon Saturday at St. John Vianney Church in Walnut Creek, according to the obituary notice by Hull's Walnut Creek Chapel.
The family is asking people to consider donations to the Tucker Hacking - Just Have Fun Memorial Scholarship Fund at Play-Well Outreach, a non-profit organization where Hacking worked. It gives underprivileged elementary school children scholarships to math and science-based Lego building programs in after-school classes. Contact Georgia Rudderow at georgia@play-well.org or 510-289-9909.
Hacking was one of two skateboarding fatalities in the East Bay in the last week. Tyler De Martini, an 18-year-old skateboarder who suffered a head injury when he was hit by a car in Berkeley Monday, died Wednesday.
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Triple Canopy
7:58 pm on Thursday, February 2, 2012
Using the following criteria, renaming the facility after Mr. Hacking does not qualify.
Individuals, Groups, or Organizations. The following criteria will be used in
evaluating the use of names of persons (whether living or deceased), groups, and
organizations.
1. General Criteria. Names of persons, groups, or organizations having a
longstanding affiliation with the City of not less than ten (10) or more years of
significant community service, involvement, or contributions beyond the
ordinary interest level whose efforts have:
a. Enhanced the quality of life and well-being of City residents;
b. Contributed to the preservation of the City’s history or culture;
c. Made exemplary or meritorious contributions to the City or its residents; or
d. Contributed to the acquisition, development, or conveyance of land,
buildings, structures, or other amenities to the City or community.
2. Deceased Persons. To be considered for a naming opportunity, the individual
must have been deceased for at least three (3) years. Such individuals may
include:
a. Historic persons.
b. National and/or local heroes. Those who have given outstanding service to
mankind or who have worked over and above any ordinary interest level. A
resident of Walnut Creek who has attained local, state, or national recognition
for parks and recreation work or work in the areas of public safety or public
health, as appropriate to the facility, would be highly acceptable.
Charles Simkins
12:13 pm on Friday, February 3, 2012
I think it is not appropriate to name a skateboard park after someone who was killed skating on a city street rather than at a park where it is relatively safe. Also, there was no mention of whether this person was wearing proper safety equipment.
Triple Canopy
1:34 pm on Friday, February 3, 2012
This drive to rename the skate park is based highly on emotion. If people would stop and think about it, there are no grounds for naming it after him. Yes his passing is sad but to elevate his memory for such an honor as having a facility named after him is unfounded and baseless.
R/ TC
Casey Hansen
9:21 am on Saturday, February 4, 2012
unfounded and baseless?? tucker improved everyones life who was around him at that park. he had a great sense of humor and made everything hilarious plus he was there at every city meeting before the park was built to discuss funding and plans for it.
Rshank56
3:47 pm on Friday, February 3, 2012
You do realize you both seem really cold and callus. I didn't know the young man but based on the criteria you posted, the young man does meet most of the criteria; 1a, 1b, 1c and 2b, with the three year waiting period for a deceased person being the main opposing point. Besides, who should the park be named after? A politician or big money city donor?
If the kids who use the park everyday (collectively) want to TRY and have the skate park re-named in the young man’s honor, then they have a right to do so. Just as you, unfortunately, have a right to post you opinions a blog intended for the purpose of informing the community of a young kid’s death. Maybe he was a local hero, and contributor to the Walnut Creek skating community. Plus, I’m sure the city won’t re-name anything without knowing for certain he had an exemplary history. Seems so or why else would they want to name the park after him. Not for me to say. Also, if it is verified the young man wasn’t wearing a helmet, then naming the park on his behalf would further the “wear a helmet” message? It wouldn’t be the first public site named after a person in order to make people more aware.
IF and that’s if the issue comes to fruition, show up at the Walnut Creek city hall meeting and state your complaint. Not a few days after the boy died. Damn.
Triple Canopy
4:05 pm on Friday, February 3, 2012
^ ^ ^.... emotional response above. Btw, it's c-a-l-l-o-u-s.
Please provide evidence that the deceased young man met criterion 1a, 1b, and 1c.
If your standard is to simply raise "awareness", then let's rename Las Trampas Creek after the two Las Lomas students who drowned while attempting to raft to Concord.
I make no claim that the park should be named at all. However, if there was a "big money" donor, I would not be opposed to name the park after that person or organization. It would be a donation for the benefit of the community.
Opposed to that? Visit ANY campus at the University of California and you'll be surrounded by big donors - Boalt, Hastings, Kerr, Bren, Geffen....
Eliz
4:51 pm on Saturday, February 4, 2012
I think we all need a cooling off period.
It might be a fine idea to name the park after Tucker or not. But, this is not a good time to make a decision about it. Let the family grieve. Build memorials later.
People are just trying to help but there is nothing they can do. The boy is gone.