CLEARLAKE – Clearlake’s skate park has a new name – that of a young man who was a great athlete, as well as a mentor and friend to many of the young people who use the park.

At its Jan. 24 meeting the Clearlake City Council unanimously approved naming the park for Andy Johnson, a young man who grew up skating and riding BMX bikes in Clearlake.

Before his death at age 18 in 2006, Johnson had been a familiar face at the skate park.

The skate park has been under repair since last fall, and reopened last week, said Ronda Mottlow, whose children use the park and who is one of the adult co-chairs of the skate park committee.

During the naming discussion, Mayor Curt Giambruno and Councilmember Judy Thein had questions about ordinances and guidelines for naming city facilities.

However, Mottlow urged the council to go ahead and make the naming decision.

“Andy Johnson was a really special guy,” she said.

Mottlow said Johnson inspired the young people who have worked to raise money – more than $4,606 in just a few weeks – to rehabilitate the park.

Ken Savin, another adult member of the Clearlake skate park committee, said he first met Johnson in February of 2003. He called Johnson a “wild, free-spirited young man.”

Johnson was good at every sport he tried, said Savin, and everyone liked him.

Savin said there used to be animosity between skateboarders and BMX riders, but Johnson – who participated in both sports – helped those two groups to unite.

Johnson’s mother died shortly before his 18th birthday in 2005, and he later moved to Eureka to be closer to his father, said Savin.

When he died on April 14, 2006, Johnson and three others were making a trip to Portland, Ore.’s Burnside Park, where skateboarders and BMX riders share the facility, Savin said.

“Since that time the skaters and bikers have grown closer together,” said Savin.

Last year the young people started a naming petition, which received more than 1,000 signatures in support of naming the park for Johnson.

Councilman Roy Simons said he remembered a meeting held in the city many years ago where the adults gathered to talk about how they would punish young people in the community for committing vandalism.

Today, however, that attitude has changed, said Simons, with a greater focus on the positive when it comes to young people.

“I think the kids are thankful for it -- I certainly am,” said Simons.

Councilman Chuck Leonard moved to name the park for Johnson, which Councilmember Joyce Overton seconded.

The council unanimously approved the naming, which was greeted by a standing ovation from skate park supporters.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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