Our Mission

Where it all began…

Geneva Community Projects Inc. was incorporated in 1992 as a not-for-profit NY corporation. The corporation was formed by a group of Geneva area residents for the immediate purpose of sponsoring the Geneva Community Playground Project. However, the word Projects, plural, was chosen because the founders envisioned using the corporation to sponsor other community projects in the future. 

The Geneva Community Playground Project began in the late summer of 1991 when a group of parents began meeting to discuss a creative playground in Geneva.  About one year later, on September 20, 1992 construction of the playground began at the site at the end of South Exchange Street. The playground was built in five days with help from over 1000 community volunteers. Approximately, $65,000 in donations was raised by individuals, groups and businesses in the Geneva area and thousands of dollars in materials were donated by local businesses. The playground's real cost had it been built entirely with purchased materials and paid laborers would have been approximately $200,000. 
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GCP's second project was the Seneca Lake Whale Watch. Planning for the Whale Watch began in the summer of 1993. Together with an existing Genevafest committee that spearheaded events downtown, the GCP board of directors expanded. The strengthened board worked hard to bring a first class festival to the Geneva lakefront. Again, the people, organizations, and businesses of the Geneva community responded with donations of money, materials and time. 

On August 27th 1993 the first Seneca Lake Whale Watch was held. Over 10,000 people attended the event which included over 75 arts and crafts vendors, two days of continuous entertainment on two stages throughout the festival grounds, wine tasting, American and ethnic food, interactive demonstrations, boat rides and fireworks. Profits from the Whale Watch were used to support the Boys & Girls Clubs movement in Geneva, the Christmas lighting project of the Downtown Business Improvement District and improvements to the Geneva lakefront.   The festival ended in 2007.