Willard Skatepark honors the life of local Indianapolis skater
White Construction project materials donated to skatepark honoring the life of Ethan Williams.
Ethan Williams was an Indianapolis local, part of a great community that shared a love for skateboarding. He devoted many years of his life to the sport and had a great appreciation for the unity it created among people.
In 2020, Ethan Williams planned to drive to New York to skateboard in several parks featured in various Tony Hawk video games that he enjoyed playing.
Tragically, while Ethan and his friends were sitting on the stoop outside of their Airbnb in Brooklyn, Ethan Williams was shot and killed in a random criminal act in the early hours of Oct. 24, 2020.
Ethan Williams leaves behind a legacy that continues to touch the hearts of the Indianapolis community and inspire the next generation of skateboarders.
In the fall of 2020, a White Construction project required the removal of granite planters attached to the wall of the Indianapolis City-County building, located downtown on Market Street.
During this process White Construction Site Superintendent, Kiel Sargent decided that there had to be a better use for the granite they were removing and otherwise discarding.
Sargent grew up skateboarding and it has always remained an important part of his life.
“It quickly became a large part of my life, and a tool for overcoming adversity,” Sargent said.
“It’s not about how many times you fall. It’s about how many times you get back up.”
After reaching out to local community members, he discovered the building of Willard Skatepark and their project needs.
“We have nothing but gratitude for IEA, the people at IEA and other organizations like them that engage in the community,” Ethan’s dad Jason Williams said.
Instead of wasting this valuable resource, White Construction was able to donate this material, helping to inspire the next generation of Indianapolis skateboarders and providing them with a safe place to skateboard.
“It means so much to me that it’s here because it’s special. It’s not something that skateparks have and it's all because of one person and an organization that's outward looking instead of inward looking,” Jason Williams said.
“I’m very thankful to anyone that was involved with this process.”
IEA is proud to be a part of this community effort made possible by the generous donations and efforts of a multitude of local companies and individuals. Thank you to everyone who made this possible for Ethan, his family and friends
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