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ACIT students present Eco Park designs to Ventnor City; city to hold professional-design kickoff
Summary
Students from ACIT presented conceptual designs for a proposed Eco Park near the middle school—highlighting recycled glass from "Glass Beach," ADA-accessible outdoor classrooms, interpretive trails and public-art sculptures. The commission praised the work and said a professional-design kickoff will be scheduled.
Students from the Atlantic County Institute of Technology (ACIT) presented conceptual designs for an Eco Park to the Ventnor City Commission on Feb. 13, describing site history, topography and designs that emphasize education, accessibility and local ecology.
Drew Holmes and his class were credited by Mayor Kel for taking on the project; students explained they used County GIS topographical maps and laser-cut models. Kendrick, who helped produce the project booklet after interviewing Dr. Wagner, described historical research into the site and noted the area’s local name, Glass Beach, as a design motif.
Student presenters described multiple design elements: an entrance trestle with recycled glass arches inspired by Glass Beach, ADA-accessible desks and movable whiteboards in an outdoor classroom, interpretive trail signage connecting the middle school to the park, and a series of sculptures representing local wildlife and beach culture. "If this concept was picked up for an actual design, you take recycled glass from Glass Beach and you melt it up and form it into the way of the arch," student Hayden said, explaining the entrance idea.
Other students described a greenhouse, central plant garden, shade trees, benches, and variations in classroom scale to accommodate large and small groups. Student Robert Mcra said his sculpture concept—a surfboard and palm—was intended to reflect Ventnor’s beach culture and be wheelchair-accessible. Sharon Garika Ramirez described a sea bass sculpture made of recycled glass and explained how her team included interpretive plantings.
The mayor and council repeatedly praised the students’ work. Mayor Kel thanked the class, ACIT staff and parents for attending, and said the presentation would lead to a professional-design kickoff meeting with city staff and stakeholders; no formal commitment to build the park was made at this meeting.
The student presentations concluded after photo opportunities and applause; city staff said they will invite council members to the design kickoff and provide project materials for public review as the conceptual study moves to the next phase.
