This week a large banner was hung on the back fence of Horizons-on-the-Hudson (HOH) Magnet School
on Grand Street (just north of South Street) in Newburgh displaying a wonderful collaboration between
Newburgh students and graduates of Yale University’s School of Architecture.
Naomi Hersson-Ringskog of Dept of Small Interventions (DoSI) connected scholars from HOH and other
students throughout the district to participate in the Yale Day of Service (YDOS) Challenge, Placemaking
Muchattoes Lake.
Organizers Jieun Yang and Brandt Knapp presented students with a PDF packet which provided
information about placemaking and many site specific maps, photos, and renderings to aid students in
their site planning and design. Local nonprofit Outdoor Promise (https://www.outdoorpromise.org/) even made a virtual tour of the lake so students could feel like they were there!
After students submitted their designs Yang and Knapp were able to engage Yale Architects who
“partnered” with most of the scholars. Scholars’ ideas were further developed, rendered on the computer and in most cases, superimposed on the banner.
This Friday, as part of our school’s International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, each HOH student who
participated will receive a Risk-Taker certificate for this month’s highlighted IB Profile Trait. They will also
receive special placemaking awards: Ultimate Placemaking Award, Newburgh-Unique Placemaking
Award, Most Extreme Placemaking Award, Water Element Placemaking Award.
Placemaking: Here the organizers of the project explain, “Placemaking is a novel approach used by
architects and planners for the design of public spaces. It harnesses our assets, inspiration, and potential, with the intention of creating public spaces that promote health, happiness, and well-being.”
The many people, businesses, and organizations involved: BRANDT : HAFERD; Dept of Small
Interventions; Greater Newburgh Park Conservancy, Habitat Workshop - Architects; Newburgh Free
Library; Lisa Kochik, Head of Youth Services, Newburgh Free Library; Outdoor Promise; Newburgh Free
Academy P-Tech Program; Horizons-on-the-Hudson Magnet School; Sabrina Dolfinger, Teacher, HOH;
Michell Jumpp, School Librarian, HOH; and Kate Clarke, HOH PTO President.
Press Received:
https://www.recordonline.com/story/news/2021/07/15/newburgh-kids-yale-architects-reimagine-muchattoes-lake/7796942002/
https://www.newburghschools.org/news.php?storynum=3443