MAYS LANDING - Students from the Atlantic County Institute of Technology are playing a crucial role in the design of a 150-acre shoreline eco-park in Ventnor.
The project focuses on ecological health, habitat preservation and community engagement through sustainable design practices, including native plantings and accessible spaces for passive recreation.
The students, mostly from grades 10-12, have contributed to site design, sculpture concepts, and environmental research, gaining valuable hands-on experience in realworld applications of sustainable design. The initiative was spearheaded by Drew Holmes, ACIT’s Computer-Aided Drafting and Design teacher, who saw the potential for students to engage in a transformative project.
Principal Joe Potkay shared his pride in the students’ accomplishments.
“The students working on the Ventnor Eco Park Project have demonstrated exceptional creativity and dedication," Potkay said. "Their ability to apply classroom learning to a real-world environmental challenge speaks to their commitment to sustainable design and community-driven solutions.”
"We gave the ACIT students the same criteria as seasoned professionals and access to county assets, including GIS mapping. Using tools like AutoCAD, laser cutters, and 3D printers, they delivered presentations that could rival those of professionals," Ventnor Mayor Tim Kriebel said. " By the end of their design workshop, industry experts were inviting students to their offices. That’s exactly the kind of engagement that sets ACIT apart - solving real-world problems with real-world skills."
The Eco Park project began with key experts sharing insights.
• Kriebel provided an historical overview and vision for the park.
• ACIT Supervisor of Health and Physica Education Dr. Robert Wagner reflected on growing up by the back bay and how the site’s past as a landfill led to its nickname, “Glass Beach.”
• Atlantic County GIS Sytems Specialist Dr. Sarah Taylor supplied essential site data, including contour maps and property lines.
• Retired landscape architect Robert Preston emphasized integrating diversity, inclusion, education and community engagement, while preserving natural habitats and social spaces.
• Stockton University professors Haria Priti and Dana Grass guided ACIT students in exploring best practices for inclusive design.
ACIT students created a magazine about the site's history, vegetation, wildlife, aerial imagery and demographics.They developed a topography map model, designed parking layouts and entranceways and planned sculpture placements and outdoor classrooms. CAD and carpentry students worked on ADA-compliant desk concepts, while graphic arts and CADD students designed presentation boards showcasing the park’s flora and fauna, along with an entrance banner.
To further develop their designs, students participated in a design charrette at the American Society of Landscape Architects Conference on Jan. 27 at Harrah’s Conference Center in Atlantic City, where they collaborated with industry professionals, explored diverse perspectives and received valuable feedback. They later presented their final projects at the Ventnor City Board of Commissioners meeting, showcasing their vision for the future of the eco-park.
ACIT’s Computer-Aided Drafting and Design teacher Yazmin Gould highlighted the impact of this experience.
“The NJASLA Conference allowed our students to showcase their skills and creativity to industry professionals, reinforcing the value of applying classroom knowledge to environmental challenges," she said.
PROVIDED/Rileigh Barbetto, an 11th grade student at Atlantic County Institute of Technology, presents at the NJASLA Conference.“It was amazing to see our ideas taken seriously by professionals. Knowing our designs could have a real impact made the project more meaningful," Barbetto said.
“Presenting our work at the conference boosted my confidence. The feedback reinforced the importance of community-driven design," Parekh added.
“Hands-on experience with site planning and environmental research made me consider careers in landscape architecture and urban design," Ferreras said.
“This project showed how design can solve real-world problems. I loved combining creativity with sustainability," Roth concluded.
The project is an example of how ACIT’s unique career programs and hands-on teaching approach equip students with the skills and experience needed to succeed in real-world applications.
By integrating academic learning with professional practice, ACIT helps students build a strong foundation for their future careers.
