Collaboration between Friends of the OCA and the Ossining Youth Bureau – March 2025
The Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct (FOCA) and the Ossining Youth Bureau (OYB) began a collaboration in 2024. Building on that partnership, on March 15th 2025, a group of 12 high school students from the OYB hiked from Ossining Village’s Recreation Center to a section of the Aqueduct needing significant intervention.
FOCA has recently received a grant to remove graffiti from several structures on the Aqueduct, including this small weir. However, before the graffiti removal could begin, the vines covering two sides of the weir needed to be cut away. Fortunately, this year as in past years, FOCA has engaged a professional arborist, Peter Ström, to remove vines from sections of the trail to prevent tree strangulation, improve view sheds, and remove vines from historic structures. Enter the OYB students, accompanied by their advocate Jeffrey Santos, to help Ström deal with this vine covered weir! Three members of FOCA as well as two Ossining community members, provided leadership in this adventure.
Weir Before:
Weir being tackled by Justin and Jennifer on one side:
Here is Pablo on the other side:
:
Working from both sides they met in the middle to clear the entire Weir:
Weir After:
FOCA President Lesley Walters and new Board member Adrianna Waitkins along with Pete Ström led the students in clipping vines and invasive bushes that were inundating the sides of the trail and threatening trees.
Four of the students enthusiastically volunteered to remove trash from the sides of the trail. They used picker-uppers, gloves and then went on a treasure hunt down the embankments, improvising by finding a grocery cart that was perfect for hauling the trash.
Proud students with their trash haul:
State Parks Crew committed to coming by in the near future to remove the ladder, bicycle, rusty car door, shopping cart and more!
Trail after all the work, widened and cleared of trash:
OYB Student Commentaries Reflecting on Their Experience:
“It was very interesting to help clean up and make a difference.” – Suyana Goyzueta
“Doing something for the environment and my hometown means a lot. It was a very educational and fun day.” – Derrian Moore
“I would recommend participating in programs like this, because it really teaches you to look at what’s going on around you.” – Erik Pasata
“I liked going and helping cleanup” – Alison Azana
The OYB Youth Advocate provided his enthusiastic assessment of the collaboration:
“Bringing teenagers together and giving them the opportunity to do something for their community is what the Ossining Youth Bureau is all about. We are incredibly happy to partner with FOCA and hope to continue making a difference.” – Jeffrey Santos
Postscript: The students have all been invited to continue the collaboration by participating in the Croton on Hudson location of I Love My Park Day taking place on May 3rd. We are looking forward to their energy and enthusiasm.