Ronald G. Repka Memorial Park Dedicated
Fort Wayne, Ind—Mayor Tom Henry with Sharon Repka, widow of Ronald Repka, Parks & Recreation Director Al Moll; Co-Founder and Former President of Aboite New Trails Lynn Reecer; Executive Director of Fort Wayne Trails Lori Keys and Greenways Manager Dawn Ritchie dedicated Ronald G.Repka Memorial Park today. Trail advocates and Parks & Recreation staff joined the celebration.
In the fall of 2001, Ronald G. Repka tragically lost his life after being struck by an impaired, speeding motorist while cycling on a country road. Repka’s death helped prompt an ongoing campaign to develop safer off-road trails and sidewalks in Aboite Township. That campaign, led by Lynn Reecer, Stephanie Schultz, Sharon Repka, an extremely dedicated board of directors and a small staff, eventually led to the creation of the Aboite Trails Network.
The Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation site, previously referred to as Homestead Park, is 3.7 acres and located on Homestead Road south of Fire Station #18 and Liberty Mills Road. It features an open air shelter, a fire fighter-themed playground and a .37 mile paved walking path that loops around the park and connects with the Aboite Trail System and the Liberty Glen Subdivision.
“The City and the Parks & Recreation Department have high standards when it comes to naming parks,” said Mayor Henry. “This was a very easy decision, given the substantial impact the Repka family and the foundation created in Ron’s name has had on our community.”
The Ronald G. Repka Foundation, Inc. is dedicated to perpetuating Ron’s interest in youth sports, as well as providing cancer patient support and cycling safety awareness programs. The Foundation is a not-for-profit organization funded by private donations, fund raising events and other charitable organizations. For more information about the Ronald G. Repka Foundation, visit: http://repka.brinin.org/joomla15/
