Effort underway to rename skate park for K-Rob

Group collects nearly 6,000 signatures supporting the cause

Posted 12/27/17

A group of residents is trying to honor the late Kevin Robinson by having the skate park on Legion Way renamed for him.

Barrington resident Dena Davis has helped lead the charge. Ms. Davis, a …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Register to post events


If you'd like to post an event to our calendar, you can create a free account by clicking here.

Note that free accounts do not have access to our subscriber-only content.

Day pass subscribers

Are you a day pass subscriber who needs to log in? Click here to continue.


Effort underway to rename skate park for K-Rob

Group collects nearly 6,000 signatures supporting the cause

Posted

A group of residents is trying to honor the late Kevin Robinson by having the skate park on Legion Way renamed for him.

Barrington resident Dena Davis has helped lead the charge. Ms. Davis, a founder of Arts Alive! Barrington, met Mr. Robinson years ago when she worked with two of his children when they were involved in an Arts Alive! production.

"I had the pleasure of working with Kevin on a couple of projects which hit close to home for both of us — albeit for different reasons," wrote Ms. Davis in a recent email. "Both projects (one a sports leadership program done in conjunction with the Bayside YMCA and the other a youth leadership camp called 'Camp iAm' done in conjunction with the BAY Team & YMCA) focused on helping young people find their voice and find the strength within themselves to follow their passions and make a difference.

"I never knew Kevin to say 'no' to anyone who asked him to help, to speak or to step up and lend a hand in anything. He was just there for everyone."

Mr. Robinson passed away unexpectedly earlier this month, leaving his wife Robin, and their three children, Shaye, Kevin and Riley. 

Ms. Davis said she was left with the feeling of wanting to do something to honor her late friend and former professional BMX bike rider, world record holder, and X-Games gold medalist.

"The death of Kevin Robinson has hit this community hard — and not because he is an icon in the Xtreme sports world, which is pretty cool in itself — but because of the level of which he gave to everyone who came in contact with him," wrote Ms. Davis. "Kevin taught everyone to care more, give more and push a little harder."

Ms. Davis started a campaign on Change.org to have the Legion Way skate park dedicated and memorialized to K-Rob. It has gained nearly 6,000 signatures. She also reached out to Alex Raad — the Barrington native worked with K-Rob to earn the town's approval to build a skate park at the ice rink on Legion Way. Mr. Raad liked the idea and Ms. Davis brought the idea to the town's park and recreation commission last week. 

Ms. Davis said the commission supports the idea, but there are some questions surrounding the campaign. For starters, the ice rink and skate park area have not been officially declared a park.

"First step is that we are going to have a memorial put in at the site and longer-term we are looking to put in a permanent state-of-the-art skate park, which is going to take a little more time," wrote Ms. Davis. 

A formal proposal will likely be presented at the January park and recreation commission meeting. If it is approved, the proposal will then be brought to the town council.  

"We are hoping for a formal dedication ceremony to happen in June," wrote Ms. Davis.  

The move to honor K-Rob appears to have the support of Barrington Town Manager Jim Cunha.

"As far as his impact on the town, it is due consideration," said Mr. Cunha. "It makes sense to me."

Mr. Cunha said the effort needs to be recommended by the park and recreation commission and approved by the council. 

Ms. Davis is hoping officials will support the effort.

"This would honor the life of K-Rob and also act as a memorial which so many of us need to remember the legacy that he created. We are all hurting," wrote Ms. Davis. 

2024 by East Bay Media Group

Barrington · Bristol · East Providence · Little Compton · Portsmouth · Tiverton · Warren · Westport
Meet our staff
MIKE REGO

Mike Rego has worked at East Bay Newspapers since 2001, helping the company launch The Westport Shorelines. He soon after became a Sports Editor, spending the next 10-plus years in that role before taking over as editor of The East Providence Post in February of 2012. To contact Mike about The Post or to submit information, suggest story ideas or photo opportunities, etc. in East Providence, email mrego@eastbaymediagroup.com.