Park memorials celebrate those who loved the outdoors

COEUR d’ALENE — The Panhandle Parks Foundation recently installed four memorials on public parkland near Lake Coeur d'Alene.

The family of Daniel Torres, who died of suicide in 2023, had a table and benches installed at Hubbard Park near North Idaho College. They mark the spot where the Idaho native celebrated a solo “Polar Bear Plunge” on New Year’s Day of that year. 

The 24-year-old North Idaho College graduate videotaped himself dipping into the icy waters of Lake Coeur d’Alene on the 33-degree morning. 

“Right straight out is where the table is placed,” said his father, Dan Torres. On the day of Daniel’s celebration of life, his friends and family went to that same spot and took a plunge in his memory.

“We, as a family, thought of doing something so we could memorialize and remember him and have a place to go to think about him,” Torres said. “He grew up on the lake boating, fishing and swimming. He was definitely an outdoorsman.”

Daniel kept a journal of bucket-list dreams, Torres said, and would mark each he accomplished as “complete.” He crossed backpacking across Europe, living in Hawaii, flyfishing in Yellowstone National Park and much more off his list. 

A memorial plaque at the lakeside table is emblazoned with a manta ray. Daniel told his family that one of his favorite things to do living in Hawaii was diving with the manta rays. He described the fish as his “spirit animal” and had it tattooed on his body. 

“He was a very outgoing, energetic and adventurous person,” Torres said. 

In addition to the park memorial, the family created the Daniel Richard Torres Complete Your Dream Memorial scholarship fund. Two $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to Idaho high school seniors this year in memory of the Lake City High School graduate. 

Since the Panhandle Parks Foundation was created in 2003, initially as the Cd'A Parks Foundation, hundreds of names have been memorialized on park benches, tables, tree plaques and granite displays in North Idaho parks. 

Proceeds from the memorials have funded numerous parks projects, including the Coeur d’Alene Skate Park, North Idaho Workers Memorial, Veterans Centennial Park and the K-27 Memorial honoring slain Coeur d’Alene police officer Sgt. Greg Moore. 

In addition to memorials honoring the University of Idaho students and Torres, the Parks Foundation installed a plaque at the pickleball courts at Memorial Field in honor of avid pickleball player Kevin Oliver. 

“Kevin was a big part of our pickleball community and died suddenly from a heart problem,” said friend and fellow pickleball player Carla Schauer. “Everyone just wanted to remember him.” 

Though many of the plaques honor lives lost, Panhandle Parks Foundation board member Kris Jamtaas said some in the community — both individuals and businesses — sponsor engravings to show their support for local parks and “deep-seated love for our beautiful community and area.” 

Former longtime resident Steve Heit sponsored a bench at McEuen Park and another at Independence Point. One honors his parents and the other simply celebrates Heit’s love for the lake. 

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Taryn Post is the president of Dexter Peak Communications.

    The family of Daniel Torres, who died of suicide in 2023, had a table and benches installed at Hubbard Park near North Idaho College. They mark the spot where the Idaho native celebrated a solo “Polar Bear Plunge” on New Year’s Day of that year.
  

    The Panhandle Parks Foundation installed a plaque at the pickleball courts at Memorial Field in honor of avid pickleball player Kevin Oliver.