When Sawmill Landing Park is finally opened this fall, there will be lots to learn about the natural and cultural heritage of this piece of land that was central to the late 18th and early 19th century lumber and shipbuilding industry of Moss Point and coastal Mississippi. But among the interpretive signs that tell those stories there will be one that speaks to the present day and the young people that helped build this park.
I am a firm believer in engaging young people around community service. It was with this in mind that I and my fellow Rotarians challenged a group of welding and metal working students to contribute to the building of what is the community’s park. Central to this effort is the post and rope fence that was installed last fall to delineate the parking area of the park from the main, natural portion of the site. The fence was built with rope spliced by JROTC Cadets from Moss Point and East Central Schools. https://ourmshome.com/community-service-linked-to-local-history/
This story is about another set of students that built copper caps to help prolong the life of the posts. Yes, the easy approach for both would have been to hire a contractor to build it all. Funding was available to do so, but that would not have given us the chance to make this fence, and the park, belong to the youth we engaged.
So, when a fellow Rotarian suggested we add post caps to the 36 posts, the wheels in our heads started to turn. Buying caps quickly changed to having them made by students. Another Rotarian in the conversation said, “Hey, I just changed out the copper flashing on my house. We could use that.” After a quick conversation with a third Rotarian, who happens to be the Superintendent of the Moss Point School System (Dr. Oswago Harper), the plan was set. Billy Carrol, Direct of the Moss Point Career and Technical Education (CTE) department, got the ball rolling.
Central to the work was Welding Instructor, Cynthia Harris, who jumped at the chance. Besides giving students an opportunity to cut, bend and fold the caps, the project also represented the reuse of a valuable resource – reclaimed copper flashing. Thanks to Dr. Wayne Adkison – a fellow Rotarian. The results now sit on top of the 37 posts of this fence, with the names of the student that made each and their year of graduation.
“Watching the students take pride in crafting each copper cap and knowing that their work will be a lasting part of the community is incredibly rewarding. This project not only honed their skills but also showed them the value of sustainability by repurposing materials. The fact that each cap is personalized with the student’s name and graduation year makes it even more special.” – Cynthia Harris, Welding Instructor.
So, this simple fence has become an important destination for people to see when they visit. Parts of this fence were built by the youth of the community. The names of students that made each rope spice are also marked. This simple effort to engage these fine young people imparts ownership, for them, their families, their friends, and the community – for years to come.
Building a park can and should be about engaging the very people that we hope will use and cherish it. Having them help build pieces and parts may not be the easiest way, but it is the best way to make it theirs.
Photos of students courtesy of Cynthia Harris.