Throughout the 2023-2024 school year, the students from PBCSD have immersed themselves in an array of tasks at the park, deepening their connection to local history and community.
The partnership between the Erie Canal Park and Port Byron students has been an informative blend of education and hands-on experience. The students have learned about the rich history of the Erie Canal, the intricate mechanisms that made it operational, and the importance of community service and volunteerism.
Students have engaged in a variety of activities, from understanding the workings of a lock to restoring a model lock and helping prepare the park for the summer. They cleaned the site, cut down and hauled away a tree, washed windows, and performed numerous other tasks to prepare the park for the season.
The robotics class at PBCSD, under the direction of Mr. Mulcahey and Mr. Shillinburg has been working to restore a lock model for the park. Locks are elevators for boats, lifting and lowering them as they travel along the waterway. The class totally gutted the model, adding new electronics and motors, and coded it to move the boat along the lock. The restored lock will be used at the park to demonstrate to visitors how boats were moved along the Canalway.
The garden and lock projects are examples of the students' engagement with the community. The graphic design class at Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES has also played a role by designing a billboard on Route 38, highlighting the collaborative spirit of the local school districts and the Old Erie Canal Heritage Park.
As the tomatoes ripen and the garden begins to yield its bounty, these collaborative projects stand as a testament to the power of collaboration, education, and community spirit. The partnership between the Port Byron Central School District and the Erie Canal Park cultivates a sense of pride and stewardship in the students, preparing them to be the next generation of community leaders.
The park is accessible off the NYS Thruway and at 1575 Rooker Dr, Port Byron, NY 13140.
