Highland Renaissance
is a winner

	TRR photo by David Hulse (Click for larger image)

BARRYVILLE, NY — Kevin Ryerson’s whimsical bear-bench along the perimeter marks the boundary the Highland Beautification Committee’s award winning corner park project at Routes 97 and 55.

The park took first place in the Class B, medium-sized projects at this year’s Sullivan County Renaissance awards presentation.

From an undeveloped, scrub brush-covered lot, volunteers created a stone covered parking lot, bordered by a laid-stone wall built by Eldred teacher Bob Skibinski and 10th grader Mike Kiesling.

Three streetlights surround the parking area that leads to new topsoil and sown grass areas where picnic tables and gazebo with informational brochures are found. A new split-rail fence separates the park from the restored bank of the Half-way Brook on one side and carved bench sculpture, supported by three bears marks another boundary.

The town’s canal history is celebrated with a stylized canal barge display at the inside corner and flowers abound.

Councilman Bob Burrow said the project cost $12,000 of $19,300, which was available through three grant sources. The late Assemblyman Jacob Gunther provided $5,000, Burrow procured $5,000 from a NYS Parks and Recreation grant and $9,300 is due from an Upper Delaware Council grant provided through Senator John Bonacic.

Burrow credited committee members Mildred Huberman, Bob Skibinski, Arnold Gruel, Lucille Zimmerman, Rose Paolini, Becky Finch, Gene Froeschl, Pat and Keith Friedrich, Mike Kiesling, as well donations of time and equipment from George Brennan, Paul Pratti and Town of Highland Highway employees Daryl and Jeff Barnes and Superintendent Norm Sutherland.