Danny Legg found peace on his board—whether skating pavement or carving slopes. Friends remember him as a bright light, always smiling, always pushing forward. Though Legg tragically took his own life in 2021, his legacy continues to inspire those he left behind.

On a gray Sunday at Rip Van Winkle Lake, dozens of friends, family members, supporters, and local officials gathered to rename the Tannersville skatepark in his honor. It will now be known as the Danny Legg Memorial Skatepark.

The ceremony was hosted by the Tannersville Skate Project and supported by the On Board Initiative, two groups made up of Legg’s friends, former coaches, and community members impacted by his life and loss, inspired by the power of skateboarding to bring communities together.

Legg’s mother, Cathy Legg, was in attendance. “Sunday was amazing,” she said. “So many people loved my son. To have that park named after him now means so much.”

After her son’s death, Cathy founded the Live Like Legg Foundation, a nonprofit raising awareness around suicide prevention. “We recently split the nonprofit into two focuses—suicide awareness and getting a new skatepark built,” she explained. Sunday’s fundraiser brought in nearly $1,000. Cathy covered the cost of hot dogs and hamburgers.

“Danny was one of the first to start this skatepark,” she recalled. “I went with him when he was 12 years old to board meetings where he would speak to the Board. Phil Theo, Jake and Dale Covey—they started it back in 2007.” A few years later, the park became a reality.

The foundation now offers a $1,500 annual scholarship to a graduating senior heading to trade school. “We also have the Live Like Legg Golf Tournament every September—because September is Suicide Awareness Month,” Cathy said. “We’re doing it on September 13 this year. That’s our main fundraiser.”

The foundation is also partnering with the Hunter-Tannersville Central School District and the Columbia-Greene Mental Health Association. “We’re trying to get a clubhouse going once a week for any kid in the school who needs a place to hang out or just talk to somebody,” Cathy said.

Toniann Morabito, a friend of Danny’s and member of the Tannersville Skate Project, shared in an Instagram reel: “We’re on a mission, and we need your help. We’re trying to enhance the Tannersville skatepark by replacing it with a state-of-the-art concrete park. We hope that it will inspire outdoor activity and connectivity within our community.”

Johnny O’Connor, founder of On Board Initiative and a former professional snowboarder working on a similar skatepark in Windham, said, “At On Board Initiative, we are skate and snowboard advocates. We do whatever we can to help the community—whether hosting events, showing up to support at town and village meetings, or helping to build the skatepark.” O’Connor added, “Skating and snowboarding ran through Danny’s blood. He was a real passionate snowboarder. He was a genuine human who always had a smile on his face.”

Frank Cabrera, a local snowboard coach, echoed that sentiment. “Danny’s skills and attitude were top-notch. He always had a smile on his face, always at the skatepark, and always on the snow. He inspired many in the skateboard and snowboard circles.”

Cabrera believes a new skatepark will help revitalize the village.

Matt Soranno, also of the Tannersville Skate Project, said, “I met Danny through the skate and snowboard community. He would give anything to anyone.”

Legg volunteered with the late Missy Runyan’s Friends of the Feathered and Furry Wildlife Center and was a skilled metalworker and mechanic. “He had that youthful drive to succeed and loved being with his friends,” Soranno said. “He’d be so driven to stick a trick despite breaking bones. You don’t even have to talk while snowboarding and skateboarding with your friends. Danny would give the shirt off his back.”

Soranno added, “Despite the weather, seeing the community come out and support the family, this mission, and overall mental health awareness was awesome. Everybody had a great time.” He thanked the village for dedicating the park.

The age range of Sunday’s attendees reflected how skating and snowboarding unite generations. The original skatepark, built in 2007, has served as a vital gathering space for local youth and adults—a place to connect, grow and heal. Though it’s now showing signs of wear, supporters are determined to build upon the legacy Danny helped launch as a 12-year-old advocate.

Mayor Lee McGunnigle and Deputy Mayor George Kelly were both present, representing the village.

“Danny’s memory will never be lost,” McGunnigle said. “His loved ones and friends will carry his memory into the future. On behalf of the Tannersville Board, we dedicated this skatepark to Danny. Let’s think about what we say to our loved ones and friends. Think twice about how we treat our neighbors. In this community, we are obligated to support each other, be aware of each other and not take it lightly. We need more kindness. Let’s move forward with this initiative, celebrate something beautiful and build an enhanced park. Danny’s loss planted a seed in his friends and family to create something. We will try to bring this [project] to fruition.”

Danny’s former snowboard coach, Adam Anderton, shared vivid memories. “He was an awesome guy—losing him was terrible. I coached Danny from age 13 to 16. He was super determined and loved slopestyle, halfpipe and rails. He was a natural athlete but knew he had to work at it. He’d get hurt at least once a season, but it never held him back. We’d travel up and down the East Coast to different rail jams. He did very well—Danny went to nationals every year.” Anderton added, “He loved hanging out and laughing. He was a ladies’ man, wild boy and had smiles for miles. Such a nice kid. He was also a great welder. Everybody loved him.”

Jeremy Thompson, who’s also helped with the initiative, said, “I love to see the positive energy surrounding the skatepark. Memorializing it in Danny’s name will forever keep positive vibes and continuous smiles flowing as people get to enjoy the existing park and plan to better the park with a new build in the future.”

Deputy Mayor Kelly put it plainly: “Suicide is the forgotten subject that no one wants to address in public settings—the stigma, the lack of education, especially in our schools, is lacking. We need comprehensive and vivid outreach to destigmatize this serious issue.”

Cathy and the Skate Project team are already planning another event—a “fun day” at the lake where the village will unveil a commemorative plaque. The community can expect more fundraising at that event as well.

If you’d like to get involved, contact Cathy Legg at NAPA at 518-589-6300. To connect with the Tannersville Skate Project, visit their Instagram @tvilleskateproject.

Max Oppen is a contributing journalist. Send correspondence to reporting@theoverlooknews.com.