A physical fitness park dedicated to the memory of U.S. Forest Service fallen smokejumper and Susanville native Luke Sheehy will be officially opened to the public in a ceremony set for 11:00a.m. on Saturday, April 1st, at the Bureau of Land Management Swasey Recreation Area, west of Redding.
Speakers at the ceremony will discuss Sheehy’s life and commitment to public service and physical fitness and will encourage participants to live like Luke, by keeping fit, focusing on service, and living a full and balanced life.
“Luke continues to be an inspiration to the wildland firefighting community,” said Josh Mathiesen of the California Smokejumpers. “We hope this fitness park will be a lasting tribute to our friend and colleague.”
Sheehy died June 10th, 2013, after parachuting in to fight a fire in the Warner Wilderness of the Modoc National Forest in northeast California. He was struck by a falling tree limb, while digging a fire line. He had been a member of the Redding-based California Smokejumpers since 2009. Sheehy previously served with the Bureau of Land Management’s Diamond Mountain Hotshots and on engine and helitack crews with CAL FIRE.
The fitness park contains apparatus for exercises such as pull-ups and bar-dips. It is connected to a recreational trail system ideal for hiking, mountain biking and running.
To get to the ceremony’s location take Placer Street in Redding to the intersection of Swasey Drive and then turn right. Follow Swasey Drive about a mile to the dedication site, which will be marked with signs. For more information about Luke Sheehy, visit https://thefallenheroes.org/?portfolio=luke-sheehy.
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