Family, friends of Rome native rally support of skatepark project. 'More than just a park'
This past April, 18-year-old Rome native Stone Mercurio passed away. He was an avid skateboarder, snowboarder, soccer player, diver and outdoors enthusiast.
Stone was a mechanical engineering major at Clarkson University. A preliminary investigation into his death indicated that wounds found on his body were self-inflicted.
“We wish we could keep him here forever but the world wasn’t meant for someone as beautiful as he was,” said Stone’s mother, Andrea Mercurio.
Loved ones described Stone's appreciation for all that life had to offer: from the little things – fresh powder on the ski slopes, to the big things – understanding the root of sadness in others.
Six months later his father – Christian Mercurio – still finds himself haunted by a quote.
“What should young people do with their lives today?” asked Kurt Vonnegut. “Many things, obviously. But the most daring is to create stable communities in which the terrible disease of loneliness can be cured.”
Within a week of his death, Stone's friends and family committed to building a free and accessible skatepark at Bellamy Harbor for all ages, abilities and backgrounds. The park tangibly represents Stone's legacy; one which calls us to lead a life of heightened awareness for all beings.
Organizing a skatepark
Weekly fundraisers – organized entirely by Stone's friends – including sporting matches, concerts, clam-bakes, barbecues, slushie sales, change jars and raffles have raised over $160,000 in six months.
The brigade is adamant about integrating mental health resources, but plans to approach doing so “organically.”
“Integrating mental health resources is key,” said close friend, Brandon Gannon. “Not only is it what Stone needed, but ironically, it’s what he provided. He found it important that everyone felt seen and valued.”
The SFM Skatepark project is an all-volunteer, youth-driven organization consisting of 12-15 core team members and more than 1,300 community supporters.
“There are playgrounds for younger kids and organized sports for parents with the money to set that up,” said Andrea. "This park offers a space for 18-25-year-olds – an age group with dwindling resources at their disposal – to come and feel accepted.”
The project acts as a “measure of time” – for Stone’s family, a “glimmer of hope" – for close friends, and an “opportunity for equal expression” – throughout the community.
'Stone was alive'
Several of Stone’s friends – Tanner Brawdy, Brandon Gannon, Richie Artigiani, Mikey Futia, and Hayden Mac – are helping to keep his memory alive. They each emphasized his adventurous spirit, how he loved to chase life’s highs and was in tune with the Earth.
“There’s a difference between knowing what life is and being alive. Stone was alive,” Artigiani said.
In 2017, the Mercurios took a Ford Econoline and went on a family camping trip out West. They hiked Glen Canyon, Zion National Park and had brief stints in Colorado and Arizona. Facing extreme temperatures, xeric conditions, and rattlesnakes brought the foursome closer, the family said.
“We always thought he’d end up out there,” said Christian. “He really fit in with that lifestyle.”
Christian and Andrea are both scientists but have lately become interested in esoteric energy. The couple said they’ve experienced undeniable signs of their son's presence: a river, a halo around the sun, dreams and songs.
A study conducted by the University of Utah encapsulates both the SFM project and Stone’s legacy, according to the family. The results deepen scientific confirmation of interconnectedness.
Geologists placed seismometers on Castleton Tower, a large free-standing rock tower in the Colorado Plateau. They recorded its vibration, amplified its sound and sped up the footage 50 times to discover it had a heartbeat.
Writer and activist Terry Tempest Williams responded to the study with an essay –“Resonance of Stone” – published in her 2016 book Erosion: Essays of Undoing.
'Skateboarding was part of our personality'
The skatepark is an extension of Stone’s legacy. It creates a space void of loneliness and full of free expression.
“The sport is all about trying new things and getting up after you get knocked down,” said Futia. “You have to be everything that Stone was: Adventurous, daring, motivated.”
The friend group began skating – longboarding – around Rome as a means for transportation.
“Skateboarding was part of our personality,” said Mac. “It was a creative outlet for us to show our style – it was part of who we were.”
Since there were no modern skate parks within a two-hour radius of Rome, the boys would often travel to destination sites. This is where some of the inspiration for the new skatepark comes from.
Christian and Andrea visited parks around the state to gain inspiration for the SFM design. They learned the culture relies on a mentor-learner model.
The way kids often remember who taught them to ride a bike is the same in skating.
"You see old guys teaching young skaters how to ollie for the first time,” said Christian. “That means something – they leave the park feeling like they gained a win.”
The Mercurios have already signed up a handful of adult skaters to host clinics at the skatepark.
Call to action
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suicide rates in young adults ages 10 to 24, stable from 2000 to 2007, leaped nearly 60% by 2018.
Medical professionals have called it a national emergency, citing rising levels of mental illness and insufficient research to explain the trend.
When it comes to dealing with the death of Stone family and friends also find themselves at a loss for answers.
“What are we supposed to tell people when their depressive episodes are valid?” asked Carmella. “It’s hard to be alive in this day and age when many of our feelings are symptoms of society.”
Care, in its many forms
Stone's friends offered a few tips on how to navigate checking in with a peer.
"Hayden has made it known that it’s OK to cry and to be emotional,” said Aritgiani. “His vulnerability has inspired us all.”
Stone’s calling hours lasted well over five hours. After paying their respects the friend group lined the front row.
“We never cried all at once, one of us would cry – we’d support them – then the next person would cry,” said Artigiani. “It was all about presence … letting each other just be.”
Carmella pointed out that the things we don’t talk about we feed power to. “Grief is a universal thing,” she said. “We shouldn’t avoid talking about lost loved ones. In that conversation death fades away; it's as though they come to life again.”
Mikey suggests constantly touching base with friends – not just after noticing a shift in behavior. “Someone could be at their worst and not really show it,” he said.
Brandon experimented with therapy. “It gave me the skills I needed to truly connect with people around me,” he said.
Christian also shared that although the loss of his son hasn’t manifested in an entirely positive way he finds himself, “more understanding of everyone's situation and what’s going on behind their eyes.”
Integrating resources
The Mercurios continue to scope out ways to integrate mental health tools into the project. They’ve connected with the Center for Family Life and Recovery, the Oneida County Health Department, and the Community Foundation.
“We’ve talked to all the potential partners but we’re going to let the need drive the results,” said Christian.
Andrea has dreams of hosting meditation classes in the surrounding green space.
“We’ve learned a lot about transcendental meditation,” said Andrea. “It teaches kids how to clear their head, regulate their nervous system and be present.”
The SFM project looks to attract all different types of creatives – not just skaters. An entire section will be devoted to street art to encourage a space for free expression.
Carmella is a huge proponent of the idea of chalk, letting one’s work wash away.
“We’re hopeful there are resources in the works – that haven’t been created yet – that when released could really complement this project beautifully,” said Christian.
Coming together
The SFM Skatepark Project’s goal is to construct one of the largest destination skate plazas in New York State.
The project is fully designed and will be broken into two phases. Phase 1, known as the "Street Phase" is estimated at $1.5 million and planned for spring/summer 2024 construction, with Phase 2 —the "Flow Phase"— planned for construction in 2025.
It will consist of a 30,000 square-foot (about the size of six basketball courts) concrete skatepark and civic plaza located on the waterfront at Bellamy Harbor Park.
Plans include a foot pump track, stairs rails, bowl, and a range of other skateable features for beginners and professional skaters alike. In addition to the main skate area – which will also support bikes, scooters, rollerblades and wheelchairs – the civic plaza will incorporate space for youth programming, live music and food trucks.
Online surveys, Sunday design sessions, technical guidance from city departments and public meetings have shaped the design.
The City of Rome Public Works, Parks and Community & Economic Development Departments have worked closely with the brigade. Rome agreed to help the organization apply for grants under the city’s name and eligibility; the New York State Canal Corporation has awarded the project $150,000.
Oneida County’s $250,000 contribution, which Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente Jr. allocated from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, will go toward Phase 1, known as the "Street Phase."
More than 1,300 kids, parents, professionals, retirees, foundations and small businesses have contributed, volunteered, hosted fundraisers, sent support letters, and joined the movement.
“We’ve talked to other skateparks and they’ve told us it took them five years to achieve the funding we have now,” said Christian. “We are not quite sure what’s going on here but we know it has something to do with Stone’s fingerprint.”
A lasting legacy
Grief has drawn the friend group even closer, according to Gannon. After Stone passed away, two of the boys transferred home to attend college courses locally.
Some of his friends – like Hayden – claim to see a reflection of Stone in themselves.
“It’s so weird – you catch yourself acting like him in a way,” said Mac. “Stone changed the way that I engage with the world. He saw life and people differently … one time he even created his own language.”
Others – such as Brandon – find Stone in the hobbies they used to share or just “day-to-day living.”
“Stone taught me to take advantage of all that Rome has to offer,” said Gannon. “We’d go hiking, snowboarding, skating, hang around the lake and go fishing.”
What’s unanimous is the group's devotion to keep their friend’s memory alive.
“I wear the SFM bracelet every day,” said Artigiani. “Every time I look down I’m reminded of the greatest person.”
This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: SFM skatepark coming to Rome, NY is 'more than just a park'
