Jonathan McEachern Buffalo Grove Skate Park Memorial

We, the undersigned, would love for the "Village of Buffalo Grove" to dedicate the skate park off of Buffalo Grove Road and Deerfield Parkway in memorial of Jonathan D. McEachern. We would like to name the park "JdMac Park", as his friends often referred to him as JdMac. Although, he was not an official resident of Buffalo Grove he did live in unincorporated Deerfield, a feeder community in which all of the children attend schools located within the limits of this school district.

Jon was one of the first to skate in the park when it opened. Jon lived at the skate park honing his skills. He felt complete when he was skating in the park. He felt at home.

Jon attended Adlai E. Stevenson High School and graduated with the class of 2005. He set his sights high in creating a future for himself, but fell short when he found himself struggling with addiction. The word addiction has a negative connotation, but it is a sickness, and we tried our hardest to help him get better. Dirty drugs found him before he could find the light and it then became too late. An unbelievable son, brother, family member, and friend, Jonathan McEachern's death on November 30, 2007, was declared an accidental homicide by our County Coroner.

Jon was loved and admired by all he came into contact with. His name and spirit lives within the community of his peers. He was a standout figure, an intellect, and his passing was much too soon. This petition not only memorializes Jon, but also stands for every family in our community that has troubled children. This petition creates awareness within the community that kids are not indestructible. We feel that this park could be a safe haven for families who are struggling either through the loss of loved ones or the current battle against drug use and abuse within their families. The park could serve as a common ground where families and Jonathans peers can come together each year during drug awareness events to be informed and remember those who have been taken away from us through addiction and failed by the system.

The following is an excerpt from one of the many journals found amongst his personal belongings: although I cannot yet confirm this journal entry below to be truth, I believe this entry shows his determination to build this skate park.

"In 2001, a few of my best friends and I decided to talk to our village about a new idea for our community. We proposed a skate park to be built next to the already standing Busch Park, an outdoor roller, hockey rink. In our minds the skate park would be a positive reinforcement our town could rely on as a fun and safe place for us and future generations. The Village vowed they'd supply a grant to build this park so long as we obtained a certain percentage of signatures on a petition. We accomplished our goal. What a feeling that was. This accomplishment turned into a burning ambition to get ahead in life."

It is clear he had a passion for the park, and he felt as if the park would help him get ahead in life. We can assist in continuing his life and celebrating what he had on this Earth if we could accomplish our goal of naming the skate park after him.

Your assistance in getting our goal accomplished will make a difference! It may seem like a lot to ask, but a little bit of help could assist us in getting a long way.

Keep your heads up high cause he's looking down on us wanting us to smile and take what happened and learn from it. 'bub'

SPREAD THE WORD ~ KEEP IT MOVING THIS PETITION MOVING!!

Thank You!

Respectfully,

Vonna Maslanka mother of Jonathan McEachern
~ December 26, 1986 ~ November 30, 2007
~his family & friends ~ from all who knew him

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