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He sees a place for family. He envisions laughter and kids just being kids. The park will truly embody what’s most remembered about its 12-year-old namesake, he said.

“It just has the feeling of a special place, and it’s so hard to create special places these days,” Janse said. “I really think we’ve done it.”

The Heart of the Valley YMCA today and Saturday will open its new state-of-the-art basketball park and remember the boy who inspired it. The YMCA will dedicate the David Richardson Memorial Basketball Park during a 4 p.m. ceremony today. Officials will hold a 3 p.m. ribbon cutting Saturday as part of its grand opening to the 25,000-square-foot park.

Richardson, 12, of Combined Locks, died of meningococcal meningitis in March 2005 just days after falling ill. The seventh-grader loved the YMCA, the outdoors and playing basketball. The community now has a place to share those passions.

What grew out of sadness will blossom into celebration today.

Janse, who was Richardson’s basketball coach, served as chairman of the park’s capital campaign committee. He expected great things, and said those expectations were exceeded.

The outdoor park includes three basketball courts, a pavilion, a concession stand and a memorial to Richardson that includes flowers and trees.

Making the park happen took a full community effort.

The Richardson family sold T-shirts and wristbands. The YMCA donated land and will assume liability and maintenance. Appleton’s Hoffman Corp. managed the project, donated the design and construction management fees.

Youngsters who knew David also did their part.

A group of 140 students from J.R. Gerritts Middle School and the Kimberly Area Youth Basketball Club raised more than $40,000 through a “We Did it For David” basketball marathon.

Many others played a role and may not have even known it.

U.S. Oil started a campaign called “10 cents a gallon for David.” By the time that month-long pledge period was complete, they raised more than $11,000 from gallon after gallon of gas sold.

Hoffman vice president Steve Wille led the project. He’s a former neighbor of the Richardsons. David used to come by his house to play basketball.

Wille said he’s never seen such a full community effort in his 25-year career. He said it speaks highly of David, his family and the entire area.

“This community certainly understands what it means to be a community, and an extended family,” he said.

Now the community can enjoy of the fruit of its work.

Janse said opening ceremonies are going to be special, but not as special as watching 100 kids get out there to dribble and shoot the ball around. David Richardson certainly would have been one of them.

“It’s just beautiful,” Janse said. “David’s spirit is going to live on forever at that facility.”

Copyright © 2006. Appleton Post-Crescent.