Projects
Here's just a small sampling of the projects we’ve completed over the years.
Geneva Bike Helmet Donation
Summer 2020
Finger Lakes Times Times Article June 30, 2020 By STEVE BUCHIERE sbuchiere@fltimes.com
"Volunteers with Connect Geneva, a website partnership with the city providing COVID-19 information to residents, said they were brainstorming safe socially distanced family activities when the popularity of biking entered the discussion. The stumbling block, however, was that not every family can afford decent bicycles for themselves or their kids. So began a fast-paced collaboration with a downtown business, the city, two local charitable organizations and local bike mechanics — to the delight of nearly 80 kids who have — or will soon be in — possession of their own wheels, according to Connect Geneva. Connect Geneva distributed 42 bikes at the Geneva Rec Center over the past weekend to preregistered kids who needed them. Another 40 bikes are being prepared for distribution to the community at large Wednesday, July 1 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Rec Center, 666 Exchange St.
The Geneva Bicycle Center donated the majority of gently used bikes and provided the mechanic skills to get them road ready. “We collect gently used bicycles year-round,” said Jim Hogan, owner of the local shop. “Typically, we would donate these to a charity partner in March. COVID-19 put a halt to that, so we were happy to be able to distribute these locally.” Connect Geneva said Chuck McCadd, a relative newcomer to Geneva, donated over 20 hours to tuneups, replacing tubes, fixing chains and straightening bent kickstands in preparation for the giveaways. The Recreation Center stepped up to host the events. “At that point, what was most missing were bike helmets,” said Jeff Henderson, a Connect Geneva organizer. “We wanted to be sure these cyclists had all they needed to be riding safely.” That’s where the Geneva Benevolent Police Association and Geneva Community Projects stepped in. Each organization donated $500 for helmets, which will be ordered for the new bikers."
Lakefront Gazebo
In 2019, GCP partnered with local yogi and gardener Sean Roulan and Fred Brockway (founder of the Geneva Butterfly garden) to plant and care for a garden surrounding the lakefront gazebo (a 2008 GCP project). Sean planted this garden with a multitude of colors and textures that will grow and bloom throughout the year to create a welcoming experience on the lakefront for locals and visitors. Summer 2021, Sean has an intern to help plant and maintain lakefront garden beds.
In 2008, GCP board members raised $18,000 to build a lakefront gazebo for Geneva locals and visitors to enjoy when admiring the lake's beauty. The gazebo is still used today for photo opportunities in front of Seneca Lake and live music during the summer months.
FLXcursion
GCP partnered with local wineries to bring the world's most noble grape, Riesling, a grand celebration. FLXcursion is a gathering of producers, academics, Masters of Wine, writers, beverage professionals, and Riesling enthusiasts from all over the world for in-depth tastings, seminars, carousing dinners, and all manner of wine geekery. More information can be found on the FLXcursion website.
Chair-ish Geneva
*We have reached full capacity, there are no chairs available at this time.
GCP has partnered with the City of Geneva and Sensenig's, selling memorial Adirondack chairs installed along the city’s newly renovated Lakeside Park. For $550 dollars the chairs can be sponsored and labeled with a dedication plaque to a loved one or to a sponsoring organization or business. The sponsorship lasts for 10 years with a right for automatic renewal. The $550 price tag includes the purchase of the chair – limited for now to City of Geneva colors, navy and grey colors – and will help fund maintenance and repair to chairs during the 10-year-sponsored period. Funds have been used as seed money for other community-enhancing projects.
Rosé Soirée
Fueled with inspiration from the traditional French Diner en Blanc (Dinner in White), a committee of Finger Lakes wine industry representatives wanted to create a Summer event highlighting Finger Lakes Dry Rosé. Every June locals are invited to a classic soirée style celebration held outside, in downtown Geneva, to kick off the summer season in all shades of Rosé. Proceeds are donated to local organizations and charities including Thrive to Survive, Geneva Boys & Girls Club, Geneva Reads, Live from Linden, Finger Lakes Family Counseling, Seneca Pure Waters Association and many more. Learn More Here.
Geneva Bark Park
A group of local community members advocating for a safe and friendly environment for both dogs and families to gather and socialize. This is a grass-roots effort of community volunteers in coordination with city staff. Volunteers are fundraising all the money necessary to build the park and sustain the bark park's future needs. Find Information Here
Geneva Music Festival
The goal of the Geneva Music Festival is to entertain, inspire and nurture a lifelong appreciation for classical music throughout the community. By including performances that cover a broad range of genres and eras, the Festival strives to make music accessible to a wide range of audiences. Special effort is directed at reaching the youngest of audiences and performances are donated to several public schools each year. Click Here for more information.
Bicycle Astronomer
The Online Astronomer is about astronomy, space exploration, the wonder of the universe and the power of science in general. And bicycles. In particular, cargo bicycles. Doug Reilly, the editor, does sustainable sidewalk stargazing in Geneva, NY.
The objective of Bicycle Astronomy is to create a bicycle-transportable telescope and use that to run a series of sustainable public stargazing events around Geneva. The project's twin goals are to inspire people with the night sky and a window into the workings of the universe, and challenge them to consider more sustainable ways of being. Click here for more information.
Geneva Community
Lakefront Playground
In 2012 GCP, with the City of Geneva and Hobart & William Smith Colleges worked to raise funds and built a lakefront playground for all of Geneva to enjoy. With this project, GCP is dedicated to promoting healthy childhood lifestyles in Geneva through the avenue of active play.
November 2017 Update: Lakefront Playground Celebrates 5 Years
Downtown Geneva Mural
Artist Kenneth Millington completed "Seneca 634" on September 21, 2010. The vibrant mural stands in the heart of downtown Geneva, NY offering an encounter with the dynamic histories of the area. Visit the Geneva Mural Blog for more pictures. This project was funded by Geneva Community Projects.
Know young people interested in learning more about the mural?
Click here for a robust activity guide for a variety of ages.
complete_seneca_634_mural_curricula_-_kevin_cervantes_-_geneva_community_projects.pdf
Growing Geneva Together Community Garden
The Mission of Growing Geneva Together Community Garden Project is to provide space and opportunity for Geneva residents, and members of surrounding communities, to come together and grow healthy good in a sustainable manner, thereby enriching the quality of life of all and strengthening community bonds.
The Committee To find out more about the responsibilities of the Geneva Garden Committee, please view the Garden Committee
Garden Plot Use Agreement To find out more about the responsibilities of the Geneva Garden participants, please view the Garden Plot Agreement
Garden Rules To view the dos and don’ts please click here Garden Rules
To Register for a Garden Plot, please view and print the registration form and return it to the GNRC. Plots are $25 each, and are given on a first come first serve basis. Click Garden Registration to get started.
Geneva Reads
2007 Geneva Community Project
Mission: To inspire a culture of lifelong reading by providing books and creating shared experiences through dynamic community collaboration.
The Geneva Reads Initiative is a partnership between schools and libraries, government and community agencies, and others in Geneva, to raise the level of literacy in people of all ages and to increase the importance of reading and the reader in the community.
Reading remains an essential skill in 21st-century America, even when television and video are so wide spread and watching and listening seem such dominant and important skills. Reading and reading well continue to open doors of opportunity and contribute to our success. Whether reading a label on a box of rice, Moby Dick, or the symptoms of an illness on a medical website, the ability to read continues to have the formative influence on our lives and the lives of our children.
A person who is unable to read is often dependent on others for information. A person who is unable to read is often left behind, left outside millenniums of print, Harlequins to Psalms. Whole literatures, times, people, and places, largely lay beyond their reach. Worlds and words are closed to the person unable to read.
Geneva Reads supports the collaboration of those who care about our children, who work to nurture reading and the reader in our community, and who teach reading daily. Geneva Reads includes local schools and colleges, libraries and library systems, our day care and family centers, local government, our book stores and any others who work to support reading and the reader in the Geneva community. For more information please visit the Geneva Reads website
Butterfly Garden
With the support of GCP, the City Central Neighborhood Association installed a Butterfly Garden at the Castle Street/ 5&20 entrance to downtown Geneva. Environmental concerns such as the crisis in the bee population and serious reduction in butterfly migration has been the core motivation for this project. Local resident, Fred Brockway, has worked tirelessly to build and maintain this beautiful butterfly garden that without a doubt has enhanced the entrance to the downtown area.
Seneca Lake Whale Watch Festival
On August 27th, 1993 the first Seneca Lake Whale Watch was held. Over 10,000 people attended the event which included over 75 arts and crafts vendors, two days of continuous entertainment on two stages throughout the festival grounds, wine tasting, American and ethnic food, interactive demonstrations, boat rides and fireworks. Profits from the Whale Watch were used to support the Boys & Girls Clubs movement in Geneva, the Christmas lighting project of the Downtown Business Improvement District and improvements to the Geneva lakefront. The Whale Watch was held from 1993 through 2006.