ZELIENOPLE — Trevor Barkley had a vision to keep teenagers out of trouble and promote a healthy lifestyle.

But those ideas never came to fruition after Trevor and two of his friends, Sam Bucci and Elijah Lunsford, were killed in a car accident Jan. 26, 2010.

Since the accident, Trevor’s family and friends have formed a committee and are trying to keep his vision alive by raising money to build a skate park within the Zelienople Community Park in memory of the three young men.

“I am very fortunate to have been able to see his passion for extreme sports first hand,” said Trevor’s father, Jeff Barkley. “He would have me get a chair and watch him skateboard in the driveway and I am thankful that I got to experience that.”

The not-for-profit group, which is made up of family and supporters, has raised more than $107,000 and needs to raise an additional $300,000 to reach its goal of $400,000.

Barkley, who is president of the Zelienople Parks and Recreation Board, said the committee is going through the approval process with the borough while continuing to raise money and gain awareness for the plan.

“The park board and borough have been moving forward, but it is a process, and we need everyone’s blessing,” Barkley said. “The biggest thing we can do now is create positive support to make sure we have everyone on board.”

Past fundraising activities included commemorative T-shirt and brick sales, Zelienople Volunteer Fire Department benefit motorcycle rides, gun raffles and Duffy’s “dinner for four deal” card sales.

Future fundraising efforts will include a summer concert in the park, the fire department benefit motorcycle ride and seven weeks of “Friday Fish Fry’s” during Lent.

Every Friday between March 7 and April 18, at the Zelienople American Legion, 308 W. New Castle St., there will be a fish fry and 100 percent of the proceeds will go to the park.

The committee is proposing to charge a minimal fee for admission to the skate park. The money raised would go toward maintenance and upkeep.

Barkley said the committee would promote a community service program for youths to gain admission into the skate park. He said service would get youths involved with helping the community while alleviating some of the financial burden on their parents.

“By teaching kids a desire to reach out and help people while earning something, it will have a positive impact on their lives and their futures,” Barkley said. “Helping kids grow and find direction is what being a community is all about.”

According to the title page of Trevor’s senior project, which he never got to finish because of the accident, “Because skate parks keeps teenagers out of trouble, promotes a healthy lifestyle, communities should help fund and support a local skate park. To create a healthy community there must be active hobbies like having a skate park.”

Zelienople manager Don Pepe said the skate park is a good project led by a phenomenal group of people.

“They are working their tails off to make a dream come true,” he said.

Since the nonprofit has money in a bank account, construction can begin once it gets approval.

“Now we need to get the borough’s approval, which includes the public’s approval,” Barkley said. “Whether it is 90-10 or 80-20, there is always going to be someone against it.”

The skate park would be a controlled environment that will be fenced in and have a person on duty while open, like a lifeguard for a swimming pool, Barkley said.