The focal point of a community activity complex in Davis, California
A community bike parking and events gathering area is needed to complete the multi-use
sports complex/stadium at Davis Senior High School and the civic facilities at the City of Davis Community Park.
As the focal point of a community activity complex the Steve Larsen Plaza will achieve many community goals and encourage bicycle transportation to and from events.
What is the Steve Larsen Plaza?
As planners and funders associated with The Davis Blue & White Foundation considered the completion of the community’s largest classroom, the Davis High School multi-use track and stadium, it became evident that an important component was missing. A bike parking facility and event gathering area was envisioned that would strengthen community ties and recognize the health and environmental benefits of bicycle-centric transportation to and from this large centrally located complex.
The new stadium and adjacent facilities will regularly attract thousands of sports spectators
from Davis and Northern California region. It will serve as a staging ground for local, regional and statewide cycling events, group rides and other outdoor activities. A dramatically visible plaza and quality bicycle facilities at the stadium entrance will send a much-needed message that people are what makes community and that bicycling is a valued mode of everyday transportation.
Adding to the synergy of athletics, good health and community, the plaza will pay tribute to Davis’ greatest all-around cyclist: DHS alumnus, community leader, mentor, devoted husband and father Steve Larsen.
Plans for the plaza include:
a prominent plaza area, with a bold and dramatic banner poles to create a welcoming gathering area for community groups, event participants, spectators and serve as a staging area for local, regional, and state-wide events;
120 state-of-the-art bike racks for students, employees, spectators, and visitors;
water-wise landscaping to provide shade and beauty in the plaza environment;
aesthetic & educational improvements that honor Steve Larsen as an inspiration to young people, cyclists, community members and athletes in general;
a dramatic focal point to a much used sports complex that supports many activities and demonstrates a commitment to community, education, health, fitness, and cycling.
Who will benefit?
The Steve Larsen Plaza will benefit many groups and the diverse interests of our community. Your contribution will support DHS visitors, spectators, high school students, families, cycling groups and the community at large.
What types of activities will benefit from the plaza?
The Plaza will be highly visible in the community due to its many uses in connection with:
staging of popular local, regional and state cycling events, such as the Davis Double Century, Foxy Fall Classic, and weekly bike rides for racers and recreational riders;
community charity events, including walk-a-thons, Special Olympics and other activities;
annual community gatherings such as Celebrate Davis! and the Fourth of July Fireworks;
running club activities by groups such as the Golden Valley Harriers, Running for Women and other events;
school athletics, including track and field, football, lacrosse, basketball, field hockey, and other sports, drawing members of the Davis community as well as spectators from throughout the region;
major school events, including graduation ceremonies, outdoor school assemblies, and other activities.
Will this project be a success?
The support of community leaders, the school district and public officials is the motivating factor behind our efforts. The concept is sound and sensible for many additional reasons:
co-location with a major athletic facility, which ensures wide exposure of donor
recognition and utilization of the completed plaza;
ancillary facilities will be leveraged, including restrooms and concessions;
concept and design has been approved by the school district;
major in-kind donation commitments for supplies and labor have helped to reduce the amount of cash needed;
More than 20 percent of the dollars needed for the entire project have been donated.
Davis, CA is known the world over for it’s commitment to community-oriented bicycle transportation: home to the US Bicycling Hall of Fame, host city of the Amgen Tour of California, Platinum Level Bicycle Community and a leader in urban planning to encourage bicycle use.
What is needed to make the plaza a reality?
Approximately $120,000 is needed to fully implement the vision of the Steve Larsen Plaza. As of February 5th, 2010, more than $50,000 has been raised by: a local tri-athlete who obtained funds through the Janus Foundation’s Charity Challenge at the Hawaii Ironman World Championships; the Davis Bike Club; Davis Rotary; Davis Bicycles! and many members of the Davis community. Funding must be completed in early Spring 2010. The entire project is scheduled for completion in late summer/early fall 2010.
How can you help?
We are seeking support from friends, past and present sponsors of Steve Larsen, corporate donors, charitable foundations, the fitness industry, health and wellness businesses, organizations, and private donors. Be a part of the final phase of a landmark project. Contact Lydia Delis-Schlosser for further details regarding donor recognition opportunities.
Contact Information:
Lydia Delis-Schlosser, Davis Blue and White Foundation
(530) 574-8013, shredmama@comcast.net
Site Plans
Donate Now!
PLAZA MEDALLION $1000 EACH (x100 estimated) Proposed Signage: Individually engraved 6-8” diameter metal medallions.
IMPORTANT! Please enter your inscription below. Each line of inscription is limited to no more than 20 characters including spaces and symbols. Separate each line of text with "/". No more than 2 lines of text.
Larsen Plaza Walkway Pavers $400 EACH (x100 estimated) Proposed Signage: Individually engraved 8” x 8” stone/ceramic/masonry pavers. Number dependent on final architectural design.
IMPORTANT! Please enter your inscription below. Each line of inscription is limited to no more than 20 characters including spaces and symbols. Separate each line of text with "/". Bricks may have no more than 3 lines of text. Pavers no more than 6 lines. A rendering of your brick/paver will be emailed to you when your order is processed. Please allow 1-3 days for process
Larsen Plaza Walkway Bricks $150 EACH Proposed Signage: Individually engraved standard 4” x 8” bricks. Number dependent on final architectural design.
IMPORTANT! Please enter your inscription below. Each line of inscription is limited to no more than 20 characters including spaces and symbols. Separate each line of text with "/". Bricks may have no more than 3 lines of text. Pavers no more than 6 lines. A rendering of your brick/paver will be emailed to you when your order is processed. Please allow 1-3 days for process
Larsen Plaza Tree $2,000 EACH
You will contacted by DHS Blue & White shortly after purchase to go over engraving options. If you have questions, or need any further information, please contact
Rochelle at:rswanson@dhsblueandwhite.org
Larsen Plaza Bicycle Row Medallion $3,000 EACH
You will contacted by DHS Blue & White shortly after purchase to go over engraving options. If you have questions, or need any further information, please contact
Rochelle at:rswanson@dhsblueandwhite.org
Larsen Plaza Bike Rack Plaque $5,000 EACH
You will contacted by DHS Blue & White shortly after purchase to go over engraving options. If you have questions, or need any further information, please contact
Rochelle at:rswanson@dhsblueandwhite.org
All of the above items and materials are subject to final architectural design and approval by DJUSD Naming Rights Committee. Unless otherwise indicated, naming placement extends to the useful life of the item. **Useful life of this item not to exceed ten (10) years. For Memorial dedications please call Rochelle Swanson (916) 801-3178. For more information, please visit www.dhsblueandwhite.org.
Plaza Banner Pole and Flags $7,000 EACH
You will contacted by DHS Blue & White shortly after purchase to go over engraving options. If you have questions, or need any further information, please contact
Rochelle at:rswanson@dhsblueandwhite.org
Passion, commitment, dedication, loving father, devoted husband and friend. These words define what Steve Larsen was and will always be. Perhaps "remarkable" is the best word to describe Steve Larsen, a legend in mountain biking, road racing, XTERRA, road triathlon, and in his personal life. He was successful in business as well as the owner of an online triathlon company and a thriving real estate business. Despite those achievements, he believed that his crowning glory in life was his family – his wife Carrie and their five children, to whom he always gave top priority.
Larsen married his high-school sweetheart and crafted a beautiful life with her, a gift that he acknowledged and appreciated at every opportunity. Larsen somehow achieved that which so many endurance athletes struggle to master: balance. He multi-tasked to an extent that could be considered an extreme sport in its own right, and he did so with boundless enthusiasm, finely honed talent and an ever-smiling demeanor.
Raised in Davis and a 1988 Davis Senior High School graduate, Steve was perhaps the greatest cyclist to come from our town, and was hailed as the most versatile professional cyclist of our time. He died suddenly in May 2009 of coronary artery disease at the age of 39. Larsen was the only American to compete in world championships in five different disciplines: road, mountain bike, track, cyclocross and triathlon. His cycling resume included many junior and professional cycling and mountain biking championships, racing for Motorola in Europe with Lance Armstrong, and shattering course records in both road triathlon and XTERRA mountain bike triathlons.
When switching his focus from cycling to triathlon, Larsen was a force to be reckoned in both on and off-road world-class events. He made a lasting impression on the XTERRA offroad triathlon race world, mentoring dozens of athletes including the sport’s biggest star, Conrad Stoltz.
These accomplishments alone are enough to set Larsen apart as a man to honor and exemplify. Yet Steve’s individual victories do not resonate in remembrances of him as strongly as his lasting encouragement and inspiration to countless others. Steve’s passion for the sport and mentoring ability shined. He motivated and energized many Davis cyclists and triathletes regardless of their age or ability. Numerous posts on a memorial web page at RememberSteveLarsen.com recount Steve’s kind and humble assistance to age-group competitors, business associates and friends.
Steve had spent the last five years of his life in Bend, Oregon with Carrie and their five children. His in-laws, Elsa and Arlen Feldman, and many close friends still reside in Davis. When we shared with Carrie our idea to create the Steve Larsen Plaza, she said that Steve would love the idea of anything that encourages people to get out and have fun.