Teen Project Targets Salem Point's Palmer Cove Park

SALEM, MA — Teens living in Salem's Point neighborhood will come together through the Marblehead-based SPUR to help make a difference in their community and the nearby Palmer Cove Park during a week of workshops next week.

Students ages 11 through 16 will participate in the enrichment program in partnership with the North Shore Community Development Coalition and SPUR as industry experts and community leaders run the workshops on urban development and green spaces.

Students will focus each day on the importance of public spaces, their impact on the community and environment, how they can be used to lessen food insecurity, and how public art impacts their community.

The teens will take part in workshops and seminars in the mornings and in the afternoons will create, support or design projects based on what they have learned that will make a meaningful impact on the Point and neighboring Palmer Cove Park.

The program is free for all participants through the financial support of the Susan Bradbury Fund of the Essex County Community Foundation as well as New England BioLabs.

The Marblehead-based SPUR provides volunteer opportunities for those of any age to meet the needs of the community.

SPUR also aims to empower the youngest members of the community to identify problems, respond to community needs and develop as future change-makers.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)