Riverhead High School Key Club members turned a safety concern along the Peconic River into a service project — and helped bring a new life ring to Grangebel Park.
The club presented the life ring to the town Thursday, June 25, during a brief gathering at the park with Town Supervisor Jerry Halpin, Police Chief Ed Frost, Heart of Riverhead Civic Association President Cindy Clifford, Key Club adviser Garrett Moore and several Key Club members.
Moore, a Riverhead High School teacher, downtown resident and civic association member, said students first noticed the lack of life rings along the downtown riverfront while taking part in cleanup efforts and the annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk.
“During our time along the river we noticed the absence of life rings, which seem to be a safety staple in other waterfront communities,” Moore told RiverheadLOCAL.
The students began looking into donations and grants to secure life rings for the town. Moore also raised the issue at Heart of Riverhead Civic Association meetings, including one attended by Halpin. The supervisor later discussed the matter with Frost, and within weeks, life rings were installed along the downtown riverfront, Moore said.
The Key Club members were pleased to see the safety equipment installed, Moore said, though “somewhat bummed” that the town’s quick action meant the club had lost a potential service project.
But the students soon identified another location in need of a life ring: Grangebel Park, where the Peconic River runs behind a waterfront playground.
The new life ring was donated with support from Saf-T-Swim in Riverhead. The club coordinated with Halpin’s office on the design and presentation to the town.
Moore said water safety is a personal priority. In addition to teaching at Riverhead High School, he works as a Sea Tow captain during the summer and has been involved in rescues over the years.
For the Key Club members, the project connected community service with a practical safety measure in a park used by families and children.
“Water safety is important to me,” Moore said.
Editor’s note: This story has been amended to correct as error in the date reported for the presentation.
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