Kendall may establish town park by Lake Ontario
KENDALL – Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata on Tuesday noted that at this point, while only in its “embryonic stages,” Town Board members are discussing the possibility of the town receiving the deed from the state for property at Thompkins Circle located in the northwest corner of the town on the Lake Ontario shoreline.
Town Board member Lynn Szozda said she recently went to look at the site with town Highway Superintendent Warren Kruger to discuss if the town might possibly locate a park on the site.
Szozda said when Kendall Central Schools hosted meetings last winter regarding ways to attract families to move to Kendall, one focus group noted that the town is located on the Lake Ontario shoreline, but there is really no public access to the waterfront for residents.
“It might be a place to put a park in Kendall,” Szozda said. She indicated that the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is willing to donate the land to the town.
Supervisor Cammarata said the idea merits consideration. “We have no community park,” he noted. “Maybe it is something we can think about and have a steering committee.”
He said he hopes to keep Kendall moving forward for the benefit of residents and, “be innovative… we need to do things in a positive manner.”
Town Board members said they could develop the site as much or as little as residents desire.
Board member Bruce Newell pointed out that such a project is a perfect example of the kind of input Orleans County will be looking for regarding the amendment of the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program.
He said the committee working on the plan has discussed creating “vista” areas along the lakeshore at various exits off the Lake Ontario State Parkway for the public to be able to enjoy scenic views.
