A Clearwater couple, Debbie and Roger Mayer, are saddened and frustrated following weeks of recent vandalism to a local memorial park they first conceived of after the loss of their son Gord in a tragic accident in 2002.
On Dec. 11, on what would have been their son “Gordie’s 40th birthday," Debbie said discovering another overnight act of destruction at the park had her “on her knees and in tears” while taking a walk with their dog.
“To see this happening again, but especially on his birthday just triggered me. Gordie was so loved and shared his birthday with Skye Buck who our community also mourns the loss of. Thinking of them both that day and to see this had happened again was beyond words. Why would anyone do this to a place meant to honour the memory of our son and others?”
The concept of the Dragonfly Splash Park, centrally located at the edge of Weyerhaeuser subdivision, was the dream of the Mayers' to create a place to honour their son, Gordon, along with other community members Bill Mattenley, Ed Buck and Bill Collison who also contributed to the building of Clearwater.
“We were so extremely touched when we first began fund raising for the park, asking residents to donate lightly used items for a community yard sale twice and that resulted in over $30,000 to begin the journey of getting the splash park built. After that so many supported us in building it. We just love hearing the laughter and joy of the children there. I just don’t understand why anyone would want to damage or desecrate the park. It’s breaking my heart. Gord was so full of joy and to see it vandalized like it has been more than once lately, it’s devastating,” said Debbie.
In a recent post on social media she described seeing more vandalism to the park and shared some history describing the project as a “long fought for project” for the community. She explained in the post the park was proposed by their family in memory of their son, Gordon, who passed away suddenly at the age of 17 and how their loss was “crippling” leaving them in “utter despair."
“Our son, was a loving, kind, thoughtful young man, and we wanted to create a loving, happy space in his memory, hence the Splash Park. It was a long six years to fight for it, and get it done, but we all did it together with community support.”
Mayer described the vandalism to the surgeryitaly saying there have been “multiple acts of vandalism over the years to the park including, things smashed with rocks, graffiti all over the washrooms, and broken glass and garbage strewn all over.”
Officials say the park can’t be repaired now completely until spring, but the couple has tried to remove some of the graffiti on the sign that acknowledges all those that contributed to the building of the park.
“This is meant to be a beautiful spot, where parents can go with their children and create loving memories in the memory of our child. It is absolutely heart breaking to see the vandalism and destruction that goes on in Dragonfly Splash Park, and around our town. Please consider your actions and the heartache that can come with these acts. If anyone has information, please come forward,” pleaded Mayer.
There is an RCMP file regarding the continuing vandalism happening not only at the splash park but at Dutch Lake Beach and the local community skate park. Anyone with any information on these acts of vandalism is asked to contact the Clearwater RCMP at 250-674-2237. Or to remain completely anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
