On Monday, June 3, we celebrated the grand opening and dedication of Tiger Park, located between the District Office and Union-Endicott High School on Main Street in Endicott. The journey to create Tiger Park began several years ago through collaborative conversations with the Endicott Rotary, the Union-Endicott Education Foundation (UEEF), and the U-E School District. As we refined our vision for the park, we were grateful for the opportunity to include local municipalities and individuals from our community in the fundraising efforts, making this park a true community endeavor. There are three aspects of the park I would like to highlight:
· George F. Johnson Restoration Project – The George F. Johnson monument and statue are on school district property. This initiative involved a two-part approach to restoring the monument. We proudly announce that Part 1, the monument renovation, has been completed. Part 2, the statue renovation, will take place this winter, continuing our efforts to honor our local history.
· Tiger Legacy Project – This project began with a concept from Billy Nolis, U-E Class of 1979. These Tigers symbolize the spirit of all Tigers, past, present, and future. With the support of Sabrina Strauss, U-E Class of 2023, Billy's dedication to this project has been truly inspiring. Additionally, UEEF supported the ongoing paver project, allowing individuals to purchase pavers as memorials. The proceeds from these pavers go directly to the Foundation to support innovative classroom projects for our teachers and students.
· Outdoor classroom space – The outdoor classroom space was developed and promoted after COVID-19, offering a unique and enriching environment for our students to learn and grow.
At the dedication, we celebrated the culmination of these efforts and the spirit of collaboration that brought Tiger Park to life. A special thank you to Broome County, the Town of Union, the Village of Endicott, the Union-Endicott Board of Education, Endicott Rotary, UEEF, Billy Nolis, Sabrina Strauss, and all in the community who contributed their time, resources, and passion to make this vision a reality.
