Yates votes to move forward with $2.5 million town park upgrade
This design by the MRB Group in Rochester shows the layout of an improved Yates Town Park.
(Editor’s Note: Orleans Hub is trying to catch up from other articles before the coronavirus dominated the news. The Town Board voted to accept the state grant on March 12.)
YATES – The Yates Town Board is moving ahead with a $2.5 million upgrade of the Town Park on Morrison Road.
The state is paying 95 percent of the costs of the $2.531 million project or $2,404,450. It is part of $300 million in state funding for projects along the southshore of Lake Ontario.
The local share of the Yates project – $126,550 – will be covered with in-kind services by the town Highway Department and also funding by the Lyndonville Area Foundation.
Photo by Tom Rivers: This photo from Oct. 23 shows some of the tables along the shoreline at the Yates Town Park.
The Town Board – Supervisor Jim Simon and board members Jim Whipple, John Riggi, Susan Hrovat and Harold Suhr – voted unanimously on March 12 to accept the grant from the NY State Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative (REDI) Commission. (Click here to see a bigger map of the project.)
“It’s a beautiful little park and now it will be more beautiful,” said Simon, the town supervisor.
Some highlights of the project include an L-shaped breakwater at $640,000; pavilion with bathroom and fire place, $394,000; park activities (kayak boat launch, dock ramp, ADA compliant playground), $266,000; road, parking, pavement, $95,000; stone dust trail with benches, garbage can, bike rack and plantings, $75,000; stormwater, $56,000; electrical, $42,000; erosion control, $41,000; sanitary/leach field, $31,000 and water service, $20,000.
Engineering costs also are estimated at $372,000, with legal and administration fees at $93,000.
Annual operation and maintenance costs with the added amenities are estimated at $3,000 for water and electric service, insurance, bathroom cleaning and septic tank costs and other operation, maintenance costs. However, the town will save $1,500 annually by not needing portable bathrooms at the park. So the net increased operation and maintenance costs will be $1,500 or an additional penny on the town tax rate, according to the town’s calculations.
Simon sees many reasons for moving forward with the project. He wrote a letter to the editor in the Orleans Hub on Jan. 31, outlining the positives of an expanded town park (click here).
Simon believes the park will improve the quality of life in the community, improve health and wellness, and boost property values in that part of the community.
Simon said he would like to see the community eventually work to put in sidewalks from north of the village on Route 63 to the Town Park. That would be an ideal link between the village and park for walkers, joggers and cyclists, Simon said.
