TIDA & Village of Clayton Awarded Grant for Underwater Discovery Park
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Thousand Islands Divers Alliance
Email: info@tidivers.org
Date: September 29, 2026
Thousand Islands Divers Alliance and Village of Clayton Awarded $25,000 Grant to Launch Underwater Statuary Park at Frink Park
Jefferson County Visitors Investment Fund award will create new dive attraction off Frink Park Pier
CLAYTON, NY - The Thousand Islands Divers Alliance, in partnership with the Village of Clayton, has been awarded a $25,000 grant from the Jefferson County Visitors Investment Fund to begin work on an underwater statuary park in the waters off the east end of the Frink Park Pier.
The Village of Clayton is contributing an additional $2,500 toward the project, bringing total initial funding to $27,500.
The award will fund the first phase of development, including establishing safe diver access, installing buoys to mark the park's exclusion zone, creating informational and educational signage, and purchasing the first round of artwork.
"This park is an opportunity to create something truly unique to the Thousand Islands," said Todd Keister of the Thousand Islands Divers Alliance. "We are hopeful that local businesses will sponsor additional works and that local artists will partner with us to create art that draws more divers to the region and educates the public about the incredible natural beauty and rich history of the St. Lawrence River."
The underwater statuary park is intended to serve as both a new recreational attraction for divers and snorkelers and an educational resource for visitors to Frink Park.
The Thousand Islands Divers Alliance is seeking additional community partners. Local businesses interested in sponsoring artwork and artists interested in creating work for the park are encouraged to get involved.
For more information or to get involved, contact the Thousand Islands Divers Alliance at info@tidivers.org.
About Thousand Islands Divers AllianceThe Thousand Islands Divers Alliance is a community-based organization dedicated to enhancing diving opportunities, promoting diver safety, and preserving and sharing the underwater natural beauty and maritime history of the Thousand Islands and St. Lawrence River.
