‘This is his memorial’: Family responds to repeated vandalism at skatepark honoring late son

BUDA, Texas (KXAN) – A skatepark honoring a Buda teenager who died almost 14 years ago continues to be hit with pervasive vandalism, according to the city and the teenager’s parents. 

The city said people have occasionally defaced the Jackson Tyler Norris Memorial Skate Park since it opened in 2014, but the vandalism has 'escalated' in recent months. To make necessary repairs, the city was forced to close the park for several weeks, leading to frustration from some in the community. 

“[Vandals] ripped out some of the sinks, they broke the toilets,” said Michelle Henley, a spokesperson for the city of Buda. “Things were ripped out of the wall, in addition to graffiti."

“We didn't want to have it closed, too,” Henley continued. “I just don't think that the community understood how much damage was done and the process we have to go through [to fix it].”

Jackson Tyler Norris, 15, was hit and killed by a car while skateboarding on June 22, 2011. Following his death, his family donated his organs to seven people. A representation of the seven people he donated organs to is etched into the concrete of a skatepark feature.

Jackson’s mom, Rebecca, told KXAN that city staff were touched by their story and decided to build a skate park, something Buda lacked at the time, in his honor. 

“It was just overwhelming. It just all happened really quickly, but touching, honoring and beautiful,” Rebecca said. 

The park has become a significant place for the family to remember their son. Rebecca and her husband, Anthony, said his cremains are buried beneath stone bricks under a gazebo at the park. 

But oftentimes, they aren’t able to visit the park due to vandalism-related closures. 

“It's a special place to the family, but it's a special place to the city of Buda and the skaters who come here and enjoy this spot,” Rebecca said. “I wouldn’t walk into a cemetery with a sledgehammer and smash headstones. So why is it okay to come here and smash up [the park]?”

The city of Buda said it is installing cameras to hopefully deter vandalism. 

“It's painful when it's closed for senseless acts of vandalism,” she continued. “This is his memorial.”