Vantage Career Center students repair local park structures

Rockford, Ohio's Shane's Park is seeing a new renovation project thanks to the senior Construction Equipment Technology students at Vantage Career Center. This project is being undertaken to both showcase the dedication and skills of these CET students, but also to bring new life and attention to Shane's Park, which serves as a part of the local history of the town of Rockford.

Shane's Park was first utilized as a campground, but as time progressed it became a place where all members of the community felt safe coming together to spend time with each other outdoors. As such, the park is beloved by many members of the community.

In the early 2000s, as part of an Eagle Scout project, a bridge and a gazebo were constructed on part of the park, but in the following decades, the structures have started to show signs of wear, such as visibly decaying wood. Seeing this, some members of the community reached out to the senior class of Vantage’s Construction Equipment Technology to see if they would be able to do the necessary repairs. The class accepted the challenge, and set out to see what they could do.

The seniors determined that the main focus of their efforts would be spent addressing the wooden structures that were showing signs of decay. The Construction Equipment Technology program the students had been participating in had prepared them for the tasks that would need to be done such as power washing the structures, removing faded and peeling wood stain, replacing weathered lumber such as handrails, deck boards, and ramps, and removing the cedar shakes from the roof of the bridge. The students also worked to replace some of the missing shingles on the gazebo’s ridge cap, and some of the concrete sidewalk to prepare for the new gazebo ramps. While doing this work, the senior class utilized equipment like a concrete mixer and a Bobcat Skid steer to build the new ramps, both of which are ADA compliant. Once the heavy repair work had been completed on the structures, the students sanded down the wood to prepare it to be stained again. With this work completed, the park is now once again a safe and comfortable place for the community.

The Vantage Career Center seniors who participated in this project have done more than simply repaired a few structures, they have also fostered a renewed sense of community pride. Already community members have joined to appreciate the work these students have put into the popular park. 

In an article posted on Vantage Career Center’s website, instructor Chris Miles was quoted about the project, saying, “Village employees were instrumental in obtaining and providing the necessary materials promptly and were exceptional in accommodating our needs as plans changed during construction by deciding to upgrade the wooden ramps to concrete. During the renovation, students faced school delays, closings, academic obligations, and rain delays. While the cold weather was quickly approaching, students were running out of days with temperatures suitable for staining. Select Junior Construction Equipment Technology students participated in speeding the project along to ensure the structures were prepared and stained before freezing temperatures finally set in for the winter season.”

More information about Vantage Career Center can be found at the school’s website.