Growing up in Maplewood, New Jersey, Tommy Cogan-Drew spent much of his childhood outdoors, especially at Chyzowych Park. The park served as a place for sports, school activities, and time with friends, but over the years he noticed the condition of the park getting worse. Trash and litter became common, the fields became damaged, and drainage problems made parts of the park difficult to use. Seeing such an important community space slowly become neglected motivated Tommy to take action. After realizing how much the park meant to both students and families in the area, he decided to create “The Chyzowych Project,” an initiative focused on restoring the park while also encouraging long-term environmental responsibility within the community.
Tommy began organizing “The Chyzowych Project” during his time at Alzar School by reaching out to classmates, teachers, teammates, and friends who were interested in helping improve the park. He created plans for cleanup days, field restoration, and future awareness efforts that would encourage people to keep the park clean year-round. One of the biggest challenges was figuring out how to take on a project that required both physical work and community support. Tommy worked to build a team of volunteers willing to dedicate time and effort toward the project once he returned home to New Jersey. The project plans include repairing damaged areas of the field, improving drainage issues, removing litter, and continuing maintenance efforts throughout the year.
“I wanted people to feel proud of this park again because it has been such an important part of my life growing up.” – Tommy Cogan-Drew
The Chyzowych Project has already helped bring attention to the condition of Chyzowych Park and has inspired students, teammates, and community members to get involved in protecting local outdoor spaces. Tommy organized volunteers and developed plans for future restoration efforts that will take place during the spring of 2026. The project aims to involve multiple student volunteers, community members, and local supporters in cleanup and repair efforts. Through planning meetings, outreach, and awareness building, Tommy has already strengthened connections between students and the community while encouraging environmental responsibility. The project has also created momentum for continued volunteer work and future improvements within the park.
Tommy plans to continue leading The Chyzowych Project after completing his CLP by organizing additional cleanup events and expanding awareness efforts throughout Maplewood. He hopes the project will continue growing with the help of younger students and volunteers who care about protecting outdoor spaces in their town. In the future, Tommy wants to stay involved in leadership opportunities connected to environmental sustainability, athletics, and community service. He also hopes to continue building leadership skills through school, sports, and future educational experiences while inspiring others to take initiative within their own communities.
“This project showed me that even small actions can bring people together and start real change in a community.” – Tommy Cogan-Drew
