Pictured are Dunkirk High School JROTC cadets Kyler Huels, Philip Messina, Melvin Jimenez and Michael Porpiglia.

The Dunkirk High School JROTC recently cleaned and prepared Washington Park for the local community to enjoy while learning the park’s history.

The Junior Reserve Officer Training Course has an annual requirement for the students to create a service-learning project that involves students to apply classroom learning to effect positive change in their community.

This year the students focused on learning some of the local history of Dunkirk. With help from the Dunkirk Historical Museum, students were able to learn about how Washington Park has been a significant presence to the community since the establishment of Dunkirk. The cadets learned how the original fountain was replaced by the prestigious Neptune Fountain which was later replaced by the pine tree that sits in the park today.

The students raked leaves and picked up trash and debri from the winter snow. The cadets also sprayed down all the park benches, swing sets and playground area with state-approved clean sanitizer.

With the lightening of restrictions going into the next school year, the cadets hope to do more for the local community.