CITY OF SAFETY HARBOR DEDICATES CITY SKATE PARK IN HONOR OF IAN TILMANN
On April 21, 2007 the City of Safety Harbor dedicated the local skate park in honor and memory of Ian Tilmann. The skate park dedication also
acknowledges the efforts of The Ian Tilmann Foundation, Inc. to promote helmet use for the prevention of traumatic brain injuries by providing FREE
helmets to skaters who promise to wear them. The event was included the United States Marine Corp Color Guard in honor of Ian's military service,
remarks from those who knew Ian and dedication by Mayor Andy Steingold.
The operation of the FREE Helmet program at the skater park brought new focus to the Foundation's program. The skate served as the free helmet
store for the entire community distributing over 450 helmets in the first years operation. Skaters can register for a FREE Helmet at the community
center any time during open hours. The FREE helmets are "dropped shipped" to the skate park and park staff members arrange for the skaters to pick
up the helmets at the park. The Foundation also maintains an inventory of FREE loaner helmets at the skate park so no skater is turned away for
lack of a helmet. The Ian Tilmann Skate Park showed that way and laid a foundation for the expansion of the program to other public and private
skate parks.
