Eagle Scout Candidate Jason Rocca Enhances Lagoon Park with Educational Wildlife Signs and Donates Funds to CLWA
This summer, Lagoon Park in Canandaigua received a significant upgrade thanks to the dedication and hard work of 16-year-old Eagle Scout Jason Rocca. Jason’s “Lagoon Park Sign Project” brought educational wildlife signs to the 34-acre park, enhancing the experience for visitors and contributing to environmental education in the community.
Lagoon Park, located at 190 Lakeshore Drive, features a walking path, bridges, and a fishing platform overlooking the Canandaigua Outlet. The park is home to various local birds, beavers, and fish, making it a perfect location for educational signs.
Jason coordinated the creation and installation of seven signs: one large sponsor sign with a boot brush, and six smaller signs featuring topics such as local birds, beavers, fishing, poison ivy, the Canandaigua Botanical Society, and the historic Roseland Amusement Park Train, which once ran through the area now known as Lagoon Park.
Just 12 days before the planned installation, a rare tornado hit Kershaw Park and the surrounding area which included Lagoon Park, bringing down three large trees and many branches. The City of Canandaigua cleared the large trees, but plenty of brush remained. Jason decided that his project could also help – he put a crew in charge of cleaning up the sticks and brush blocking the paths and on the side of the grass. Another crew picked up litter from the park and in the pond. Jason also added a strand of solar lights to one of the existing signs in the park.
Jason exhibited leadership for 15 volunteers on the day of the Lagoon Park sign installation project, which took place on July 27, 2024. In total, he worked with 37 volunteers throughout the planning and execution phases. On the project day, Jason had to make quick decisions to overcome unexpected challenges. When the auger wouldn’t start, he consulted with some adults, and one volunteer brought a manual post hole digger from home as a backup. Additionally, the auger kept hitting rock at one of the planned sign locations, so Jason contacted the parks department and arranged an alternative spot for the sign.
Eagle Scouting is a family tradition for the Roccas. Jason’s father, Steve, and brother, David, both Eagle Scouts, helped build the main sponsor sign.
Jason’s project was supported by numerous community sponsors, including Cobblestone Arts Center, Canandaigua Rotary, Mattiacio Orthodontics, 84 Lumber Company, Canandaigua Botanical Society, Super Seal Sealcoating, Ellen Polimeni, Paul and Brenda Bacik, ADMAR Rental of Canandaigua, and the Institute of the Finger Lakes at Hobart William Smith College (Prism program).
Jason raised $2,685 for the project, but thanks to generous in-kind donations from 84 Lumber, ADMAR, and the Finger Lakes Institute, he had funds left over. On August 2, 2024, Jason presented the remaining funds of $440.18 to the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association, supporting ongoing efforts to protect and preserve Canandaigua Lake.
Jason’s project exemplifies the impact one person can have on their community. Through leadership, resourcefulness, and community spirit, Jason has made a lasting contribution to Lagoon Park and Canandaigua Lake. Thank you, Jason, for your dedication and hard work!