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As a parent, itâs hard to imagine anything more devastating than the loss of a child. Thatâs what makes Sweet Home resident Rachel Maynardâs story so remarkable. Last July, Maynard was at Lewis Creek Park with her family and friends when tragedy struck. Her son Zachary and his friend Kennedy Swenson, both 6, were playing in Foster Reservoir when a jet ski came barreling into the roped-off swimming area and struck the two children. Witnesses reported that Zachary saw the out-of-control watercraft coming and tried to push his playmate out of the way. Both children were badly injured and were rushed to the hospital by helicopter. While Kennedy eventually was discharged to continue her recovery at home, Zachary didnât make it. He died three days later. ....
On May 6, laughter returned to Waterloo Park. It was the last piece of a 10,000-piece puzzle held together by the efforts of a community, local government and a grieving mother. More than a year ago, Sweet Home resident Rachel Maynard made several phone calls to Linn County Parks and Recreation. Waterloo Park had been repeatedly vandalized and there were holes in nearly every slide and the play structure was failing. Even the tunnel slide had to be removed, a blow to the Maynard boys, Zachary and William. who would sit at either end and yell through the tube. I called again and (Linn County Parks and Recreation Director) Brian (Carroll) got back to me and said, Why don t you get involved and help design the park?  ....