Youth volunteers paint eagle mural at Beekmantown park

BEEKMANTOWN | A fierce eagle looks like it's landing on the soccer kick wall here at the Town Hall Park. The mural's work-in-progress announces "Eagle Country." Talons will likely become focal points to hone soccer kicking skills. But this artistry pooled the efforts of town personnel, school teachers and Yorker Club students, a group of Beekmantown Central School youth volunteers focused on local history. The project -- and others in the wings -- involve close collaboration between town leaders, school staff and local youth. Town Councilor Cheryl Turner has eyed the blank kick wall on the big field behind town offices for quite a while. "Every time I looked at that board I'd think: mural," she said. She asked Beekmantown Central art teacher Renee Hall and English teacher Kendi Rankin what they thought, and they all came up with a plan. Hall brought graphic design skills. Coordinator of the school's Yorker Club, Rankin brought the idea to the students. And then the kids took it forward. Ninth Grader Addison Rankin signed on along with incoming senior Mason Hannemann. Working with fellow Yorkers, they painted the wall in time for the start of the school year. Students use the big recreation space by the Town Hall for practice and play. "I was hoping to find a way of including the kids to make it a community project. I'm just so proud of them," Turner said. Mason says volunteer tasks are fun to work on. And Addison, who has kicked many balls against that wall, was happy to pitch in. "I like being able to paint with my friends," she said. Yorkers are looking at a few more projects, rejuvenating a club established some years ago by beloved Beekmantown teacher, the late Sarah Vagi. Ideas on the table include a special history themed Yorker Trunk or Treat spot at Beekmantown's huge Halloween gathering held at Town Hall park. The kids want to keep a focus on local history. Mason thinks maybe a salute to the former Plattsburgh Air Force Base might be a good fit. "I don't think enough people consider local history, there's so much here," he said. "Not a lot of people understand the important role this area played in the War of 1812." Beekmantown kids are proud of their town's historic place. Sites not far from school honor the Battle of Culver Hill and the skirmish at Halsey's Corners on the old Beekmantown Road. An historic sign on Ashley Road marks the burial site of soldiers who resisted British forces in 1814. Kids gain a strong sense of place from local history, Rankin said. One Yorker project might expand on Beekmantown's nearby Heritage Trail, a half-mile walking path dedicated to veterans that adjoins highway department facilities next door. "We are hoping to build a walking path around the Town Hall complex," Turner said. The ideas all benefit from town support, she said. "It helps when we work together," she added, pointing to rows of overturned dirt at the park. "We have new pickleball courts going in where the tennis courts were," she said. "The town crews have been able to do a lot of the site preparation." Looking around, the "shared" in shared effort is evident. Hall created the mural art building off the design on town banners, which feature the school's eagle mascot. The park flag pole was a student athletics contribution. A mural inside the park pavilion shelter was painted and signed by students in the 2012 graduating class. Inventive improvements in the park benefit from local youth input. Town Supervisor Sam Dyer said when kids are involved, they get a sense of ownership. "My kids went through this school system here, my grandkids are going through it now," he said. Recreation space on a big field behind the Town Hall has a place for everyone. And when everyone pitches in, he said, community grows. "We have to take care of the young, we have to take care of the old. The best part of my day is when I look out and Youth Program Director Dave Manney is out there with 400 kids, and to see that whole park full," Dyer said. "There are different coaches out there with groups of kids. There are Jump Camps going on, soccer games and all kinds of activity. Beekmantown has always been number one with youth participation. "I look at it like this: you've got a pie. You've got the school piece, the town piece, you've got the county piece, but it's one pie. "Working together is important. We've got an excellent highway department, and that keeps school buses moving safely in winter. When the school had a problem with the fuel tanks, the town ran buses through the highway and kept track. We have a big parade here for graduating seniors and everyone stops to take part. We've got a beautiful town park, and a great group of parents and kids who take care of it." At the end of the day, a little effort from everyone makes a great place to play. "Kids just want to have fun. It's not always about winning or losing," Dyer said. The supervisor admires the Eagle wall and work done by school staff, students and community to create it. "It's great," he said. "This is something you can hang your hat on." For Turner, who retired from Beekmantown Central School, any real sense of community accomplishment has to involve kids. "This wall, it will be there for years," she said. "We're hoping to get the Kindergarten classes lined up for a photo when school starts. Then we'll take another picture at the end of the year and see how much they've grown," Turner said with a big smile. Part of the school mission, Hall said, is to educate kids and encourage them to "become quality contributors to society and self." "Beekmantown is growing. It's a beautiful blend of people, school and community," she said. "That's the focus," Turner said. "To make quality of life for families here."

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Youth volunteers paint eagle mural at Beekmantown park

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