Greenport tech class creates 20 planter boxes for village
More than a dozen students in Mike Davies technology class at Greenport High School gathered Thursday morning at Mitchell Park to unveil their latest project — 20 wooden planter boxes that will be placed along Front and Main Streets in Greenport Village.
This project is funded through the nearly $59,000 profit brought in from July’s Tall Ships Festival. About $10,000 is being used for this project, said Peter Clarke of Clarke’s Garden and Home, who is responsible for choosing and acquiring the plants to fill the boxes.
Mr. Clarke said the Village Board hoped to give back to the businesses that made the festival possible through their time and sponsorships, and saw the planter boxes as one of the best options.
Greenport Mayor George Hubbard Jr. said that part of the profit was spent to fix the doors to the carousel at Mitchell Park. The remaining money will go toward projects to enhance the village, but no final decisions about those have been made yet, he added.
Front Street already has planter boxes “still in perfect condition,” that were planted seven years ago, Mr.Clarke said, inspiring the idea of adding more throughout the village. The remaining 19 boxes will be placed at a later date, weather permitting.
“It’s something the kids made themselves, so they have a stake and ownership in them,” Mr. Hubbard said. “I think it’s a good thing that the kids built it themselves and they care about it.”
Correction: An earlier version of this story referred to Peter Clarke by the wrong name. We regret the error.
First photo caption: Mike Davies technology class at Greenport High School, along with members of the school administration and village board, stand with one of 20 planter boxes that will be placed throughout the village. (Credit: Nicole Smith)
