MAYOR'S MESSAGE

Craig A. Stough 7/19/2007

"Conservation Corps Improves Sylvania"

Have you noticed the many improvements made to the community this summer by the Sylvania Youth Conservations Corps? The twenty-five junior high students planted thousands of flowers and performed needed maintenance at public parks and building grounds, all while learning new skills and building confidence for their futures. Their work for 2007 ended with a family picnic and ceremony at Harroun Park on Saturday, July 14^th.

Improving our quality of life is important for all of us, and the Sylvania Youth Conservation Corps works toward that goal in multiple ways. First, the plantings and maintenance made to our parks and the grounds surrounding our public buildings. Quality of life means more than just the quality of our environment, however, and includes the many educational and recreational opportunities that make Sylvania a great place to live and raise your family. The Conservation Corps gives our young people another opportunity to learn and grow in a wonderful program unique to Sylvania.

Each summer, 25 - 30 junior high students from Sylvania are selected for the program based on their written applications. For most, it is their first job, and they are taught new skills working in our parks while earning pay. They are introduced to soil and water conservation, machinery, wildlife, birding, butterfly preservation, landscaping, forestry, composting, recycling and carpentry. In addition, the develop a work ethic, build self-esteem, work in a team effort and take on responsibility.

Over 5,000 flowers are planted each year together with other environmental projects like park rangering, signage installation and forest products processing. The many flowers are donated by local greenhouses like Creque's, and planted in several of our parks and at public buildings including schools, the library, Tam O'Shanter, Centennial Terrace, Sylvania Historic Museum, the Burnham Building, the Sylvania City Administration Building and the Sylvania Court.

The Youth Conservation Corps uses Harroun Park as its base of operaitons. Over the 14 years of the Corps operations, 396 students have made many lasting improvements in Harroun Park including an amphitheater, boardwalks, walkways, signage, benches, and preservation of endangered plants and animals.

My thanks to all in the community who have supported the Sylvania Youth Conservation Corps and the Riverball Race that helps fund the Corps, including the Sylvania Schools, SJARD, SCAT, Sylvania Rotary, Sylvania Chamber of Commerce and many local businesses and individuals donating prizes and materials. This is a program unique to the City of Sylvania and benefits our most important community asset – our young people.