Student campers unveiled a mural last week at the Fuchs Pond Park in Northport.
They were joined by Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci, and representatives of the Town of Huntington Youth Bureau Drug and Alcohol Counseling Center (YBDACC) Prevention Services Team.
“It warms my heart knowing that these conscientious students in the Town of Huntington care enough about protecting our local environment that they would take on this project,” Lupinacci said. “I know the mural will inspire others to protect natural and open spaces around our wonderful town.”
The mural reminds park-goers to help preserve the area as a safe, drug-free community space for all. The mural is composed of 21 decorated tiles designed by campers, ages 6-12 years, from Cornell Cooperative Extensions Sea Star Marine Camp. Out of 200 submissions, the selected artwork was chosen for their creativity and thoughtful messages.
The mural is located in Fuchs Pond Park Preserve alongside the walking bridge off of Waterside Avenue in Northport.
For many years, Fuchs Pond Park Preserve has offered members of the community a safe environment to enjoy the outdoors. Recently there has been a noticeable increase in “party residuals” – including litter, drug & alcohol paraphernalia, graffiti, and campfires. Town Park Police & Public Safety have made efforts to enforce the rules that ban these activities and this has led to a significant decrease in residuals. The Fuchs Pond Park Mural will help increase knowledge of the park rules and will work in conjunction with law enforcement to help address this issue and maintain the integrity of Fuchs Pond Park Preserve.
The Huntington Drug and Alcohol Prevention Services Team provides research-based, data-driven programs and strategies to reduce or prevent alcohol and other drug abuse in individuals, families and communities. Part of their initiative is to increase access to safe, drug-free environments as these serve as protective factors against youth high-risk behaviors. For more information on the Counseling Center, please contact (631) 271-3591.
Cornell Cooperative Extension Sea Stars Marine Camp in Northport welcomes students from all over, ages 6-14, for weekly camps held at the Cranberry Hill Environmental Center in Fuchs Pond Park. Each week is designed to immerse campers deep into the world of aquatic science through hands-on learning experiences and field trips to the Crab Meadow Beach, Long Island Aquarium, or Captree fishing expeditions. For more information, please contact the Camp Director, Alexandra Stevens (631) 239-1800 ext. 30.