A well-loved Lake Highlands man who died earlier this year is still inspiring his neighbors to make things better for the kids.

A group of Lake Highlands residents are working to raise about $40,000 for improvements at a neighborhood park. The White Rock Valley Neighborhood Association’s improvement plans center around building a shade structure over the White Rock Valley Park, so that children can enjoy the area year round. The efforts are in large part a tribute to neighborhood resident and advocate Pat O’ Shea, who died earlier this year.

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The WRVN board wants to honor O’Shea’s years of hard work in our neighborhood and city by dedicating to him the remodeled playground, which is located behind his former home on Clearhurst, says neighborhood association president Chris Bellew.

“Pat had a special place in his heart for this park. When his children were young, he coached baseball, football and soccer teams there. Later he worked diligently for the addition of the playground equipment and officially naming the park White Rock Valley Park,” Bellew says.

He says his neighborhood is raising money as well as working closely with Joan Walne, our district’s Parks and Recreation representative, to gain the city’s help with the project.

Once the improvements have been made, the neighborhood will host a dedication ceremony and post a plaque in O’Shea’s honor, and the kids will be able to play rain or scorching sun nonwithstanding, just as Mr. O’Shea would have wanted. If you are able to make a contribution, please e-mail Bellew at cbellew@yahoo.com.