Installation of a park bench to remember Carson Crimeni was completed on Friday, March 27th, when a plaque was attached to the backrest, reading 鈥減lay and be kind.鈥�
His family selected the phrase as a positive message against bullying, explained Carson鈥檚, grandfather, Darrel Crimeni.
鈥淢y children got together and that鈥檚 what they came up with,鈥� Crimeni told the 91原创 Advance Times.
Crimeni said the family was told the Township wouldn鈥檛 allow them to put Carson鈥檚 date of birth and date of death on the plaque.
鈥淚 sort of get it,鈥� Crimeni commented.
They want their parks to be a happy place.鈥�
The bench is located in a Walnut Grove athletic park, not far from the skateboard park where Carson used to hang out.
RCMP have wrapped up their investigation into the death of the 14-year-old Carson, who died as a result of an apparent drug overdose on Wednesday, Aug. 7. and have forwarded the file to the B.C. Prosecution Service, which will determine if charges are laid.
Disturbing video clips posted online showed the 91原创 teen barely able to stand or speak at the Walnut Grove skate park while people could be heard laughing.
It took about six months to get the bench installed, with funding donated by the B.C. branch of the Labourers鈥� International Union of North America (LiUNA).
Nav Malhotra, business manager and secretary-treasurer of , said it was a reaction to news reports about Carson鈥檚 death.
鈥淚t鈥檚 the right thing to do,鈥� Malhotra commented.
Malhotra said the union has members who live in 91原创, many who have children.
鈥淚t just hit home.鈥�
READ MORE: Carson Crimeni laid to rest
READ MORE: VIDEO: Grandfather speaks out about teen who died after overdosing in 91原创 park
Crimeni said the family has also had an offers to pay for a memorial tree for Carson , and one company is looking into sponsoring a 91原创 Minor Hockey Association player as a memorial fir Carson, an avid LMHA player.
As for the campaign being wages by Geoff McNeill to have the Walnut Grove skate park named after Carson, Crimeni said he isn鈥檛 optimistic.
鈥淚 think there鈥檚 maybe a 10 per cent chance.鈥�
READ MORE: Still no response to petition to rename 91原创 skateboard park after teen who died of drug overdose
A change.org online petition to have the skateboard bowl renamed the 鈥淐arson Crimeni Memorial Skateboard Park鈥� has raised 4,000 signatures.
dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
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