Steve Turpin has a saying he uses all the time: “Out of something bad, comes something good.”
As project manager of the Chardon Living Memorial Park, Turpin is busy these days, having just announced the park’s official fundraising effort through its website, www.chardonlivingmemorialpark.org.
The website is live.
And that will be the focus of the park — recognizing the affect of the school shooting tragedy while focusing on Chardon’s future. Its role will be to help families, friends and schoolmates affected by the tragedy.
“I’ve always said Chardon will take of Chardon,” said Tim McKenna, former Chardon police chief on Feb. 27, 2012, the day of the shooting. The park’s steering committee is made up of many in the community.
The plan is to upgrade a walking trail, create an outdoor fitness area and a children’s playground complete with commemoration plaques and a welcoming statue by the school.
“You can go out, workout, take your kids to the playground,” McKenna said. “It all dovetails to the future of our community. It’s an opportunity to shine one more time.”
All three mothers of the victims have been involved at some level of planning, McKenna said.
“We hope it gives people a positive thing to do,” said Turpin, who was already set to pick up a check Tuesday morning.
The location is 17 acres around Chardon Sledding Chalet, at 220 Basquin Drive. There is symbolism in the location, given that the property is owned by both the school district and the city.
Chardon City Council voted unanimously at its April 9 meeting to allow Chardon Tomorrow, acting as the project’s non-profit organization, to raise the funds and begin the project, said City Manager Randy Sharpe, who has been a part of the process from the beginning.
The city will provide the maintenance to the most of the park. The Chardon School District, which has not approved the plan yet but has it presented to it, would provide the maintenance of the playground, Sharpe said.
“The city is behind 100 percent. We have a great group of people volunteering to set up and make this happen,” Sharpe said, adding Turpin had done great things since being given the project.
The initial fundraising mark is $300,000 but that could change as the project takes shape, Turpin said. The goal is to build the park by June 2016.
“We are still working on a master plan to integrate all the communities, high school, alumni and global community,” Turpin said. He said crowdfunding will be a big part of the project.
Chris Grau, owner of Lake Erie Video, was integral in developing the initial theme, “It’s Time,” and developing the video, which can be seen by scanning the QR Code on your smartphone.
“It’s time to remember that tragedy nurtures the good in all of us,” the video starts.
The fundraising effort may be followed and shared on Facebook , Instagram (@Chardon_Living_Memorial_Park); Twitter (@ChardonMemorial); and YouTube.
“We will be updating our followers continually with upcoming information on our progress with donation achievements and park design,” said Jennifer Seaman, the project’s public relations person.
Donations can also be mailed to: Chardon Living Memorial Park, 100 Center Street, Suite #270, Chardon, Ohio, 44024. For more information call Chardon Tomorrow – 440-273-3077.