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The Memorial Tree

Legacy tree for Nicholas Speights nourishes memories

Every time he visits Butterfield Park, Nicholas “Nicky” Brustad will remember his “first-ever” friend -- an energetic 7-year-old, fellow Star Wars fan and Cub Scout with the same first and middle names.

Nicky will think of his friend, Nicholas Andrew Speights, when he checks the red oak tree he helped plant in his friend’s memory Oct. 21. The tree stands strong and tall near the park pavilion, thanks to Nicky and Pack 780 Cub Scouts who dedicated the tree and a plaque honoring Nicholas for his “energy and spirit” and for touching so many lives.

Nicky was first in line to grab a shovel as the sun broke through the clouds hovering after a night of light snow. Others marveled at the mound of dirt he had scooped out of the tree’s home by the time he was forced to take a break.

“I didn’t want to quit,” he said after giving up his shovel, his face red with exertion. “I wanted to do it for Nicholas. He was one of my first-ever friends.”

Nicky wasn’t alone in his regard for Nicholas, who lost his life July 4 in a car-pedestrian accident. About a dozen Pack 780 scouts, their parents and dozens more friends and well-wishers attended the tree-planting, the first in the Town of Castle Rock Parks, Recreation and Golf Department’s new Tree Legacy Program. Under the program, memorial trees may be placed in a park or open space of the giver’s choice. Parks and Recreation staff coordinates location and planting with the giver and maintains the trees.

Delivering a prayer before the tree went into the ground, Denae Richards asked God to “nourish and grow” Nicholas’ legacy tree into the biggest tree in Butterfield Park. “Make it grow straight toward heaven where Nicholas is with you today,” she said.

Among those pitching in to help Cub Scouts move earth for the legacy tree were Nicholas’ father, Bill, and older brother, Chris. As Parks and Recreation maintenance workers maneuvered the tree into its new home, Bill Speights talked about the healing power of “life memories” that come from actions like planting a legacy tree.

“It’s my hope that this act creates a memory of revitalization and healing in the community.” About his son, he said, “Nicholas gave us much to cherish and much to remember” and the tree will serve as a reminder that “we all must live big and continue to grow healthy in our souls.”

Bill called on everyone in attendance to “live big,” as he announced plans for another legacy project for his son: The development of a welcome center at the Boy Scout camp in Boulder County that Nicholas visited every year and loved. The Nicholas Speights Memorial Fund at First Bank in Castle Rock was established as the collection point for the $100,000 needed to make the camp welcome center a reality by next summer.

Bill said the welcome center will “add meaning” to the experience of every Scout who visits the camp. “Nicholas loved camping of all kinds. With this project we’ll have the ability to have an impact. Thousands of kids every year will have a good experience. It’s fitting,” he said.

Meanwhile, as parks workers released the roots of the red oak and secured it in its new home, Nicky hovered close by, shovel in hand, asking, “Can I help? “Can I help?” He vigorously replaced the dirt he and others had previously removed and was among the first to release a Cub Scout-colored balloon over the freshly planted oak tree. As the balloons disappeared in the sunlight above Butterfield Park and satisfied that he had accomplished what he came to the park to do for his “first-ever” friend, Nicky raced off to play.

For more information about the Town’s Legacy Tree Program, contact Jennifer Martin in Parks and Recreation, 303-814-7444.

Cheryl Speights releases a balloon with a special message

to her son, Nicholas, Oct 21 in Butterfield Park as her husband

Bill Speights watches.

Reprinted with the permission of the Town of Castle Rock and J.J. McCormack