By Matt Leingang
The Cincinnati Enquirer

GOSHEN TOWNSHIP - The mothers of four Clermont County teenagers killed in a car accident in 2000 say they want to give back to the community for helping them during their tragedy.

They have teamed up with an architect and are working to add a skating park and basketball court to a new Goshen park that's under construction.

"The community really came through for us when we needed it, so we thought that we should do something," said Tammy Smith of Loveland, the mother of Lester Smith, who died in the accident.

Goshen is building a six-acre park off Ohio 28. Plans call for a volleyball court and bicycle track.

The mothers are seeking donations - money, construction materials or labor - to finish their part of the project by the end of June. Estimated cost is $40,000 to $50,000.

A memorial to the four teens will be added, but details have not been finalized.

The idea of adding a skating park was easy, Tammy Smith said. Her son was an avid skateboarder. But beyond that, Goshen needs a place where kids can hang out, she said.

The town has never had a park.

Goshen police officer James Taylor, who is supervising the project, said the park will be a great addition to the community. Input from Tammy Smith and the other mothers makes it more special, he said.

"Those kids are missed, I tell you that," said Taylor, who is also the police department's liaison to the high school.

On Aug. 12, 2000, six Goshen High students were on their way to Monroe Falls to go swimming when their car went off a rural road and hit a fencepost and a tree. The four who died rode in the back seat and were not wearing seat belts.

According to subsequent court testimony, the then-16-year-old driver lost control after the then-17-year-old front seat passenger jerked the steering wheel.

The front-seat passenger was found guilty of reckless homicide in 2003 and was ordered to serve a term of six months to three years in juvenile detention.

E-mail mleingang@enquirer.com