Charlie Bowins Skate Park officially opens at McNabb Park
The family of a young Ottawa man who taught skateboarding to children, raised money for skateboarding causes and died suddenly in March say they're thankful and honoured by the opening of a new downtown skate park named in his honour.
Charlie Bowins, 27, died suddenly in his sleep overnight on March 3 after returning home from a trip to Hawaii.
On Saturday, the skate park he helped his friends create was officially opened on McNabb Park grounds off Bronson Avenue.
"He was passionate for skateboarding, he was passionate for the sport from a young boy, and this is what he would have loved," said his mother, Andrea Bowins, after Mayor Jim Watson, representatives of the Ottawa Skateboard Community Association and others cut the ribbon to officially open the Charlie Bowins Skate Park.
"It's not only a tough day, but an incredible day," she said.
Park took 2 ½ years to open
It took about 2 ½ years of work to make the park a reality, said Meaghan Isaacs, a director of the Ottawa Skateboard Community Association.
"It means a lot to everyone that it's here today," she said. "Charlie was a true original. He had a lust for life that was unparalleled to anyone that I've known, and he radiated kindness."
Aaron Cayer, another director of the association, said Bowins taught skateboarding to children for six years and that he also helped fundraise for and design the park.
"It means the world to the family, and I'd like to thank the skateboard association and the City of Ottawa for letting this happen," said Bob Bowins, Charlie Bowins's father.
"We will visit often and come to see Charlie here. It's special," he said.
