Community Corner
Troop 24 Eagle Scout Project at Fort Lee Begins
Despite a fresh coat of snow on the ground, Eagle Scout Candidate Dominic Serino is set to begin on-site work at Fort Lee this weekend. Throughout the winter, Serino has been working to organize a community effort to clean up the fort and organize Friends of Fort Lee. Serino who grew up on Briggs Street recalls playing at the fort when he was younger. A Senior at Salem Academy in his last year as a Boy Scout, he hopes Friends of Fort Lee will extend and sustain the work that begins this weekend.
The project received its final approval from the Park and Recreation Commission in January but tenacious winter weather has prevented on-site progress. In addition to Park and Rec. Commission the project has gathered support from the Mayor’s Office and the Department of Public Works who will help with disposal of cleared material.
Along with his fellow Scouts, Troop 24 Leaders and number of neighbors and other enthusiastic volunteers, Dominic plans to get to work at 9:00 AM on Sunday March 23. The work will continue the follow Saturday and Sunday. The first stage of work is mostly clearing of vegetation; according to Dominic “there is more work to be done than can be achieved in a few weeks”.
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Volunteers are encouraged to join the effort. Safety equipment and tools are available but feel free to bring your own.
About Fort Lee:
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Located on a hill next to Fort Avenue, Fort Lee is a historic American Revolutionary War fort. According to historians there is evidence this part of Salem Neck was fortified as early as the 17th century. The earthworks still evident were built in 1776 and repaired at the time of the War of 1812 and the American Civil War. The property was federalized in 1867, and transferred to the City of Salem in 1922. The site was rehabilitated at the time of the United States bicentennial in 1976, with trails and interpretive signs, but these were later removed. The fort site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.
For updates or questions, email FriendsOfFortLee@gmail.com or like Friends of Fort Lee at facebook.com/FriendsofFortLee.
