Sacred Spaces: The Power of a Name to Unite Communities

How the legacies of Kylie Hiner and Clay Madsen continue to bring hope and connection to two Texas cities

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In a time when governing often feels like a force that divides, there are moments — rare and powerful — that bring people together in ways that transcend politics. Naming public spaces after young lives taken too soon is one such act, creating lasting legacies that unite communities. These spaces become sacred touchstones of shared memory, healing, and connection.

Two Texas communities, Canyon and Round Rock, found themselves grieving the unimaginable loss of two young people, Kylie Hiner and Clay Madsen. In Canyon, the Kylie Hiner Memorial Playground, built just last year, has already become a beloved space, reminding residents of Kylie’s joyful spirit and the power of inclusivity. Meanwhile, in Round Rock, the Clay Madsen Recreation Center has stood for over two decades as a tribute to a life well-lived and a source of faith and connection for those who knew Clay.

These projects not only bring comfort to the families left behind but also offer a powerful message of unity. They remind us that even in the hardest moments, communities can come together and build something beautiful — a legacy that endures.

Kylie’s Playground

Kylie Sheree Hiner was a joyful soul, born on April 23, 1992, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to Mark and Mary Hiner. After graduating from Canyon (Texas) High School in 2011, Kylie immersed herself in her community, volunteering at local favorites like Feldman’s and Pepitos restaurants, and the Hudson House assisted living center. Known for her vibrant spirit, she loved texting, making crafts, swinging at the park, and walking her dogs, Mattie and Boomer. More than anything, Kylie adored people. She had a special gift for remembering names, and she celebrated friendships by calling loved ones to sing “Happy Birthday.”

“Kylie was diagnosed with autism in 1999, but it wasn’t who she was,” said her mom, Mary Hiner. “She was still Kylie.”

“When she met you she asked your name, she shook your hand, she looked you in the eye,” she said. “And was just being friendly. And she never forgot you.”

Here’s how her dad described Kylie: “She was just a people person, and it didn’t take long and the community pretty well accepted her and knew what to expect. They saw her everywhere because she was out and about a lot.”

She participated in Special Olympics and was an active member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church. Her faith and strong family ties grounded her, while her community connections expanded through her friendships and volunteer work.

A description of Kylie on the city website puts it this way: “Kylie had autism but her friends and family just thought of it as “odd-tism,” she was just that funny girl.

“Kylie loved everyone, and everyone loved Kylie.”

Kylie tragically passed away in 2017. A couple of years later, the city began developing plans for an all-abilities park, one designed to be accessible and welcoming to people of all ages, abilities and interests. They are typically wheelchair accessible, sensory-rich, challenging to meet the needs of children at different ability levels, and designed to encourage interaction between people of all abilities.

Members of the city’s parks board, when they first considered the idea to build an all-abilities park, immediately thought to name it after Kylie. They approached her parents about the idea, “and the Hiners were just over the moon about it,” said Megan Nelson, the city’s director of communications and community engagement.

As her father, Mark, so poignantly shared, “In most cases, when someone gets something named after them, it’s either because they held a certain position or they donated a lot of money. In Kylie’s case, it’s for nothing more than who she was.”

Here’s the amazing video Megan produced that tells the whole story better than I could ever hope to. It’s the best five minutes you’ll experience today.

The playground was developed as a public-private partnership between the City and the southwest chapter of AMBUCS, which raised $1.3 million for the project. That’s a lot of money for a city with a population of 15,771. The generosity from the community is another of Kylie’s legacies.

“She wanted to make connections,” Mary says in the video. “And I think that’s been endearing, that’s what’s kept her memory alive, and what gets people talking about her because Kylie built connections that are still valid and ongoing today.”

The project just won the Texas Municipal League’s Municipal Excellence Award. The award recognizes the achievements of Texas cities “in meeting the challenge of municipal government. Innovative problem-solving, excellence in management, increasing citizen participation, and reaching toward higher service levels are all daily occurrences in Texas cities, and they deserve recognition.”

Indeed, they do. Without question, the Kylie Hiner Memorial Playground has reached a “higher level” of service. More than 200 people attended the opening ceremony in September 2023. Megan noted the moment of silence was anything but quiet.

“All you could hear were the kids playing on the playground,” she said. “It was just perfection.”

Clay Madsen’s Legacy of Faith

Just as the Canyon community came together to honor Kylie Hiner, the City of Round Rock found a way to preserve the memory of another beloved young person, Clay Madsen. More than 30 years ago, Clay’s courageous battle with cancer ended just days after his 19th birthday. The impact he had on those around him, however, continues to ripple through the city.

Like Kylie, Clay was well known in the community. He was a standout baseball and football player for the Round Rock High School Dragons. Beyond that, he was a young man who walked the talk of his Christian faith.

“Clay’s friends still talk about him, and they tell their kids about him,” Nancy Madsen, Clay’s mom, said. “He made such an impact on their lives, and even though it’s been 32 years since he passed, people in the community still remember him for his faith and the way he lived his life.”