We Collin's family and friends as well as the community would like to petition to change the name of Yelm Skate Park to LLC Yelm Skate Park (Long Live Collin). Collin has been part of Yelm's community for years. Collin was well knows admired and very loved by the youth in this community. Collin played many different sports, but Skateboarding was one of his biggest loves.

Collin's mother Karisa Carpenter stated, “Collin loved skateboarding when he was a little boy and as he grew older, he found his love of football,” Carpenter said. “He began playing for TCYFL Tornados when he was 7 years old and continued football until the pandemic shut everything down his sophomore year of high school.” 

Carpenter said her son regained his love for skating because he needed a physical outlet when classes shifted online, and sports were put on hold. She said he got the hang of skating quickly and began practicing every chance he could.

“He told friends that one day he would be in Thrasher Magazine and achieved that goal thanks to his mentor and skate photographer Josh James,” Carpenter said.

McLaren, however, began experimenting with marijuana and alcohol with his friends, something that escalated during the pandemic. While he was against taking pills or getting heavily involved in drugs following conversations with his mom, Carpenter said he eventually gave into peer pressure.

“He tried his first Xanax that he got from a friend. From there he began self-medicating his anxiety with Xanax off and on, and ‘Perc 30s,’ were introduced,” Carpenter said.
This eventually led to his death after McLaren took a lethal dose of illicit fentanyl, spurring on the event that aims to raise awareness of fentanyl poisoning.

“My intention is to educate and spread awareness to kids, parents, and communities about what ‘fake pills,’ and illicit fentanyl is and how it makes its way into our kid’s hands,” Carpenter said. “I also want to educate about Narcan, where to get it, and what it is.”

Not only are we petitioning to change Yelm Skate Parks name, but we would also like to put a plaque up that tells the story of Collin Mclaren's life and bring the awareness of Fentanyl poisoning all the younger kids and adults. 

If we are to win this petition we will do fundraisers to help pay for any new signage that will need to be replaced.