By Buck Humphrey

Every great idea begins with noticing something special.

For me, the idea for a community park started by watching what was already happening every day at Luce Line Brewing Co. I saw something that couldn’t be planned or manufactured—the way people naturally gathered.

Neighbors became friends. Families filled the patio. Children played together. Cyclists stopped along their journey. People who arrived as strangers often left feeling like part of something bigger.

Luce Line Brewing had become more than a brewery. It had become a community gathering place.

But I also noticed something else.

As the brewery grew, families began spilling beyond the patio and into the wild space next door. Kids explored, people wandered, and the unused land became an extension of the community. There was energy there—a sense that this space could become something meaningful if we had the vision and commitment to make it happen.

At the same time, I saw an opportunity that was too important to ignore.
The Luce Line Trail was right there, connecting people across our region, but our neighborhood lacked a welcoming, accessible gateway where everyone could experience it. The trail had incredible potential to bring people together, but we needed a place that truly invited everyone in.

That was the moment the idea took flight.

What if this unused space could become more than open land?
What if it could become a place where families gathered, children played, neighbors connected, and everyone—regardless of age or ability—could access the trail and enjoy the outdoors?

A park where people did not just pass through, but belonged.

Turning that vision into reality required more than one person. It required a community.

I began bringing together people who shared the belief that parks are more than amenities—they are places where memories are created and relationships are strengthened. A committee was formed with passionate community members, leaders, and volunteers who brought different perspectives, expertise, and a shared commitment to making this dream possible.

Together, we began imagining what this space could become: an inclusive community park connected to the Luce Line Trail, a place for play, recreation, music, gathering, and discovery.

Most importantly, we envisioned a place where everyone feels welcome.
The creation of the Luce Line Foundation is about recognizing an opportunity and acting on it. It is about taking a space that has been overlooked and transforming it into something that reflects the heart of our community.

The inspiration came from watching people gather at Luce Line Brewing. The momentum came from neighbors willing to step forward. The vision comes from believing that our community is stronger when everyone has a place to connect.

This idea took flight because people cared.

And together, we are building a place where the next generation of memories can begin.