The ‘Art’ of Placemaking

“Working Together for a Healthier Community” is our motto here at the Clinton County Health Department (CCHD). I, for one, am excited that we are able to bring this motto to life by facilitating the creation of unique and healthy spaces throughout our community, with help from residents like you!

We recently partnered with 18 locally-owned businesses and community-based organizations in Clinton County through a grant called Operation: Light, Quick, Cheap (LQC) provided by the New York State Health Foundation (NYSHF). Partners were awarded funding to create safe, fun and eye-catching spaces that promote healthy behaviors.

This was such a fun grant to be a part of and I am so excited to share the ‘out of the box’ projects that were completed. They all involve placemaking which allows businesses to make cost effective improvements to their spaces to promote physical activity and/or healthy eating.  

If you have time this summer I would encourage you to explore some of Clinton County’s newest attractions:

1. Beekmantown Volunteer Fire Department - 6973 NY-22, West Chazy, NY 12992

Project Name: BVFD Memorial & Community Space

Project Description: An ADA sidewalk was installed for all community members to have convenient access from the parking lot to the pavilion area. Benches and lighting for the area were donated.

 

2. Black Brook General Store - 781 Silver Lake Rd, Au Sable Forks, NY 12912

Project Name: Bike & Visitor Friendly Space

Project Description: A bike repair station and bike racks were added to the store’s location to increase active transportation. Additionally, two oversized Adirondack chairs now sit at the store for photo opportunities and to increase visitors.

 

3. The Cat’s Meow Thrift Shoppe -90 Bridge St, Plattsburgh, NY 12901,  Accepted by Outside Art: Plattsburgh Public Art Project

Project Name: “Community Garden” Mural

Project Description: Coordinated by Outside Art: Plattsburgh Public Art Project, the Community Garden Mural features colorful flowers with an interactive “find the cats” element. This mural was completed with help from local community members, art students from Plattsburgh State, and individuals from the Autism Alliance of Northeastern New York. There are 20 cats, 15 snails, 9 mushrooms, and 5 bugs in the mural; can you find them all?

 

4. Central Nutrition Smoothie & Juice Bar - 11149 Route 9 Champlain, NY 12010

Project Name: Gathering Space

Project Description: A beautiful space with landscaping for the community to gather and just chat while playing a game of chess or checkers. Have a bike? Take a ride to this new location, there are new bike racks conveniently located next to this community area.

 

5. City of Plattsburgh Fire Department - 7 South Platt St, Plattsburgh NY 12901

Project Name: The “Splash!” Mural 

Project Description: This mural brings the community together and supports local essential workers. Outside Art: Plattsburgh Public Art Project collaborated with the local fire department, NYSATA art teachers, and local students to bring some life into a plain firehouse wall. The theme of water encompasses the firehouse’s proximity to the Saranac River, the lifesaving resource that firefighters use every day, and the feeling of joy people get from engaging in recreational activities in or near water. 

 

6. City Well - 30 City Hall Place, Plattsburgh, NY

Project Name: Community Well-ness Project

Project Description: This design features interactive sidewalk and concrete barrier art with an under the sea, fish theme that surrounds a community seating area. Want to play in the art? Head inside for some chalk!

 

7. Clinton County Child Advocacy Center – 130 Arizona Ave, Plattsburgh NY 12903

Project Name: Welcoming, Friendly Fencing

Project Description: A colorful, playful space was created for visitors to feel welcomed and comfortable with a whimsical flower pattern bordering the fenced in gathering area.

 

8. Clinton County Historical Association – Peace Park

Project Name: Tsi ietsenhtha (Jee Yeh Jen Ta)/Plattsburgh Art Project

Project Description: A turtle art sculpture was placed in Peace Park. The shell of the turtle has a different design on each, representing the history of the Native people.

 

9. Clinton County Mental Health & Addiction Services - 130 Arizona Ave. Plattsburgh, NY 12903

Project Title: We are Here!

Project Description: Sidewalk art and benches with encouraging words from the parking lot to the entryway creates a welcoming space for community members.

 

10. Cornerstone Pharmacy – 72 Champlain St, Rouses Point NY 12979

Project Title: Farmacy 2.0

Project Description: The Farmacy Project is an effort to provide locally grown and produced food to area residents. Items include: fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, eggs, and bulk food bins items. This allows the community to have access to a Farmers Market, that is usually a once a week event, everyday! SNAP/EBT accepted.

 

11. Cumberland Bay Market - 1544 Cumberland Head Road, Plattsburgh, New York 12901

Project Title: From Rays & Seeds to Rows & Harvest

Project Description: Raised garden beds were installed to grow fresh produce to use in the meals cooked by the market. A children’s tour of the garden was offered with a Master Gardener that taught children about the gardening process. The market also has their fresh produce for sale and encourages community members that are food insecure to help themselves to some produce.

 

12. D & D Meats – 8945 Rt 22, West Chazy NY 12992

Project Title: Corner Oasis

Project Description: Farm cutouts for photo opportunities, bike racks to encourage active transportation, and fresh produce are all located in this Corner Oasis.

 

13. Lakeside Coffee – 109 Lake St, Rouses Point NY 12979

Project Title: Project Sunburst

Project Description: This outside community park is newly constructed with benches, games tables, bike racks, and beautiful landscaping. If you’re feeling hungry or thirsty, head across the street to Lakeside Coffee for a bite to eat! Looking for other activities that are available in Rouses Point? Visit the message board in the park that maps out local businesses, community areas and events.

 

14. M’Akin Things Homemade - 1166 Cook St, Dannemora, NY 12929

Project Title: Welcoming Outdoor Space

Project Description: M’Akin Things Homemade just made the community more visually pleasing for customers, visitors, and residents. Check out the artistic balloon dog benches, sustainable greenery and homemade garden beds that double as safety railing on the corner of Cook and Emmons Street. 

 

15. Maui North – City of Plattsburgh

Project Title: Artistic Bike Racks Project

Project Description: Art and bike racks do mix! Maui North partnered with the City of Plattsburgh to install fun shaped bike racks throughout the City. Can you find all 11 locations? Hint: There’s a book shaped bike rack at the Plattsburgh Public Library.

 

16. Rouses Point Library - Rouses Point Civic Center, 39 Lake St, Rouses Point NY 12979

Project Title: Hop, Skip, Read!

Project Description: StoryWalk® is an innovative way for children and families to enjoy reading and the outdoors at the same time and it is now in Rouses Point. Visit the StoryWalk® to read and enjoy the interactive walkway with painted stencil activities.

 

17. Strand Center for the Arts - 23 Brinkerhoff St, Plattsburgh, NY 12901

Project Title: Melody Park

Project Description: An outdoor musical art park is here for you to enjoy the sound of music in an open air space. Check out the new addition during an artisan market, outdoor concert, or just when you’re out on your next stroll.

 

18. West Chazy Recreation Park

Project Title: Merry-Go-Cycle (coming in September!)

Project Description: Bring the kids to enjoy a newly installed merry-go-cycle while you enjoy playing tennis or pickle ball on the courts that were recently resurfaced in 2020.

 

Amanda Prenoveau

Public Health Educator

Division of Health Planning and Promotion

Seconds Count: Home Heating Tips from your Local Fire Departments

Volunteers from the West Chazy Fire Department work on extinguishing a house fire.

The holiday rush is over and we are settling into the New Year, full of resolutions and ambitions. Along with my health related resolutions (come on, we all have them…don’t we?), I am adding a few home safety improvements to my list. After hearing of multiple home fires over the past few weeks I decided to reach out to our local fire departments to answer some of my burning questions (see what I did there?) and get expert advice to share with you. 

I found out that residential fires tend to peak in January according to the U.S. Fire Administration. When asked what causes most of these fires in the North Country our local fire departments overwhelmingly responded with improperly maintained heating systems.  Jason Goodspeed, Volunteer Firefighter with the West Chazy Volunteer Fire Department explains “The chimney and flue’s function is to carry dangerous gasses from your fireplace, woodstove or furnace safely out of your home. When the gases exit the fireplace or wood stove creosote can stick to and build up in your chimney. If the chimney doesn’t get inspected and cleaned each year a buildup of creosote will cause fire combustion inside the chimney which can spread into your home.” Ryan Sponable, Firefighter and Paramedic at the City of Plattsburgh Fire Department says that furnaces should be treated like chimneys – regularly maintained and inspected. 

 Creosote build up.

I have a woodstove at home, to extinguish my fears (sorry, I can't help myself) of a chimney fire, I make sure to schedule a yearly inspection and cleaning with a certified chimney sweep professional. I also have a small space heater that I use occasionally but have heard some scary stories about those so I asked the professionals their thoughts on firing up space heaters. Dereck Fleming, Lieutenant of Cumberland Head Volunteer Fire Department, says that “Space heaters can be useful, but make sure the heater is at least 3 feet away from anything flammable, like curtains or bedding. Make sure they are shut off when leaving the room and that they cannot be easily tipped over. Roughly two thirds of all heating related fires are caused by space heaters.” One big problem that the City of Plattsburgh Fire Department sees is people overloading power strips. Both Ryan and Dan Dumas, Fire Chief at the Mooers Volunteer Fire Department, echo that if you are using a space heater it should be plugged directly into a properly sized outlet, without the use of extension cords or power strips.

Overloaded power strip resulting in an electrical fire.

Just like we focus on prevention here at the Health Department, our local fire departments want you to practice fire prevention at home. The number one way to do this is to have a fire escape plan and practice it! Fire Chief Dumas reminds us that smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are proven life savers and should be tested each and every month. Batteries should be replaced 1-2 times each year, or as needed. When I asked where these life saving devices should be installed Firefighter Goodspeed responded “According to the National Fire Protection Association, smoke alarms need to be installed inside each bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement. Carbon monoxide detectors should be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home. Remember, seconds count.”  

Another topic of discussion was fire extinguishers. It turns out the most common type of fire extinguisher in homes is a multipurpose extinguisher labeled as ABC but Firefighter Goodspeed reminds us to take into account the type of materials in the immediate area and select the appropriate extinguisher for your needs. Firefighter/Paramedic Sponable said it is recommended to have at least 2 fire extinguishers on the first floor and at least 1 on the second floor. He adds that the kitchen, laundry room and garage tend to be where fire extinguishers are needed the most and that there is a push to start having them located in bedrooms and patios as well. Fire Chief Dumas says “Remember, fires spread very quickly and a call to 911 should always be placed so the fire department can be sure the fire is extinguished and has not spread. When in doubt, get out and call 911!”

The Clinton County Health Department’s Healthy Neighborhoods Program can help keep your home and family fire safe by providing education and safety products. The best news – it’s FREE for anyone in Clinton County. Give us a call to set up a visit: 518-565-4870.

Let’s recap, that was a lot of (awesome) information to digest. Here’s the cliff notes version:  

• Have a fire escape plan and practice it!
• Properly maintain your heating system and schedule regular cleanings and inspections with certified companies. 
• Keep space heaters at least 3 feet from flammable materials, do not leave them unattended and plug them directly into an outlet. Do not use with extension cords or power strips.
• Make sure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are installed in appropriate locations, test them each month and replace batteries at least 1-2 times a year. 
• Taking into account the type of materials in the immediate area, purchase and install appropriate fire extinguishers on every level of your home. Generally, the first floor should have at least 2 extinguishers. 

Some other safety tips generously provided by The City of Plattsburgh Fire Department: 

• NEVER run a generator inside. 
• It is recommended to sleep with your bedroom door shut. This allows extra time to escape and prevents harmful gases and heat from entering your bedroom. 
• Never open a door if the knob is hot to touch. If you are unable to escape put clothing or towels at the bottom of the door to prevent gases and heat from entering. Call 911 and open windos to alert first responders of your location. 
• Always clean lint from your dryer.

Special thanks to:

• Dan Dumas, Fire Chief, Mooers Volunteer Fire Department

• Dereck Fleming, Lieutenant of Cumberland Head Volunteer Fire Department

• Ryan Sponable, Firefighter/Paramedic, City of Plattsburgh Fire Department
• Jason Goodspeed, Firefighter, West Chazy Volunteer Fire Department

Here’s to a happy and safe New Year!

KayLeigh Raville

Public Health Nutritionist

Health Planning and Promotion Division