TRURO - Friends have come up with a way to remember Ben Hare.
They would like to see the town change the name of the skatepark in his honour.
"The whole Town of Truro supports Ben and the idea," said Melissa Dawn. "He was loved by all and has a special place in our hearts."
She is organizing a petition to have the name changed because Hare was involved with the skatepark and a long-time friend to many who utilized the facility.
Hare, 26, was killed earlier this month following a fight at a Lyman Street residence.
A rally was held at the skatepark yesterday to garner support for the petition.
Peter Roberts was one of those who signed his name to the cause stating he knew Hare from Alice Street Elementary School "a long time ago."
"It's a good idea. I didn't know about it until today," he said of the potential name change. "Ben was a good person. He did a lot for the skatepark really. He was always deejaying" when there were events at the park.
About 300 people signed the petition yesterday doubling what had already committed to the cause. Those figures do not include signatures from people who have signed petitions at local businesses, including the Engine Room, MacQuarries Pharmasave, Murphys Fish and Chips, Inglis Jewellers, Layton's Taxi and some Truro Mall stores.
Dawn said after she collects all of the petitions, which is expected to be complete later this week, she will deliver them with a letter to the town.
Ward 3 Coun. Greg MacArthur, who chairs the recreation committee, said he had received correspondence about the name change suggestion and forwarded it on to the town's director of parks, recreation and culture.
"It's a nice (idea) but there's a process to go through," MacArthur said, noting he doesn't have the authority to change the park's name. "It's the first time I've ever basically had a request for this since I've been recreation chair."
The request would likely be forwarded to the town's recreation committee for a recommendation before coming back to council for a decision. That decision is not likely to be made until council's September meeting at the earliest.
Twenty-two-year-old Dustan Joseph Preeper has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with Hare's death. He is in custody and is scheduled to appear in Truro provincial court July 31 for a bail hearing.
