For seven years, BISCO (Brockport Integrated Service and Community Organization) has organized the Brockport Arts Festival - bringing tens of thousands of people to the Brockport community, many for the first, but certainly not the last time. That was one of BISCO's original goals - putting Brockport on the map and drawing attention to the Victorian jewel on the western end of Monroe County.

BISCO's other main goal was to invest profits for the festival back into the community, particularly for youth. To date, BISCO has invested over $100,000, most notably in the revamping of village playgrounds and sponsorship of the Cool Kids children's program. Other support has gone to various Eagle Scout projects.

Next up is likely to be support of a Skate Park at the Town of Sweden's new park on Redman Road, according to BISCO President George Dahl.

"A skate park in Brockport is long overdue," said Dahl. "The kids here have been waiting for one for a long time. And so have parents who have been driving their kids to other communities to skate."

The Town of Sweden's master plan for its park includes a skating facility in the first phase, and with BISCO's help it could conceivably be built this fall, Supervisor Buddy Lester said. "We welcome BISCO's help making this happen."

Dahl said that for several years, BISCO concentrated on playground improvements that benefited mostly young children. Now the group is looking for ways to help pre-teens to teens. BISCO would like to be involved in the development of a youth center in the future, Dahl said. That is something that is being studied jointly by the Towns of Sweden, Hamlin, Clarkson and the Village of Brockport.