Veterans Park drainage work, wayfinding and geese control discussed; staff told to pursue utility and drainage steps

Engineering staff told the committee that surveying for Veterans Park drainage is complete for a front-park area and that a drainage bid will be prepared this winter with construction planned for summer, timed to avoid the busiest sports season. Staff said the engineered drainage grid will identify connection points so future ball fields and related areas can be drained correctly when constructed.

Committee members discussed improved signage and wayfinding at Veterans Park and Nike Base, including small kiosk maps, parking-area maps and restroom wayfinding. Staff said kiosks and maps exist but some restroom doors remain locked outside seasonal hours; committee members recommended more visible signs near parking and pavilion areas to make facilities easier for new visitors to find.

The committee raised recurring park maintenance issues, including geese concentrated on soccer fields and near playgrounds. Staff reported outreach to a Tonawanda-area contractor who provides trained dogs to disperse geese and said that contractor (a goose-dog handler) is a likely service but contact and scheduling remain unresolved. Members discussed legal and liability implications of encouraging volunteer dog handlers or asking the public to chase geese: the town attorney and insurance implications would need review. Staff said they would continue pursuing contracted services and obtain legal guidance before any program that would formally encourage volunteers.

Staff also reported tree-stand and hunting-stand removal and signage plans for Scenic Woods and Sandywood trail areas to clarify park boundaries and remove unauthorized hunter stands; staff said letters had gone to adjacent property owners on Sandywood and fence installation will help clarify town property boundaries.

Provenance: Excerpts where Veterans Park drainage, signage, geese management and trail/hunting-stand issues were discussed.