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Parks & Trails Advisory Board reelects officers, advances park projects and grant applications
Summary
The Saranac Lake Parks & Trails Advisory Board reelected its chair, vice chair and secretary, accepted member terms of service and reviewed maintenance and capital project updates including a DASNY grant request for Garwood‑POW Park. Members also noted Lake Colby accessibility work, a pending APA variance for Baldwin Park and plans for public input on a proposed Riverfront Park renaming.
The Parks & Trails Advisory Board of Saranac Lake reelected its officers and reviewed a slate of maintenance and capital projects at its June 17 meeting.
Chair Colleen O’Neill called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. and the board approved the May meeting minutes (motion by Peter Waldt; second by Julianne Stemp). The board accepted Village Board–proposed terms of service for members and confirmed its meeting schedule as 6 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month.
The board then held officer elections. Colleen O’Neill was reelected chair (motion by Doug Haney, second by Peter Waldt; recorded as unanimous with Colleen abstaining), Jimmy Cunningham was reelected vice chair (motion by Mary Thill, second by Doug Haney; unanimous with Jimmy abstaining) and Mary Thill was reelected secretary (motion by Colleen O’Neill, second by Peter Waldt; unanimous with Mary abstaining).
Village staff updated members on maintenance and capital work. Richie Hewett reported that most line items on the 2026 Park Maintenance Checklist have been addressed and crews continue ongoing repairs and upkeep. Katrina Glynn provided updates on capital planning and funding pursuits.
On project-specific matters, the board reviewed conceptual pavilion designs for Baldwin Park; consultant LaBella Associates has not yet advanced designs to construction level. An Adirondack Park Agency public hearing on a wetland variance for a universal access paddle launch is scheduled for June 25, 2026, and an APA decision was noted as expected on August 14, 2026. Colleen O’Neill will work with member Stacey Allott to submit a PTAB support letter during the APA public comment period.
Staff reported several facility items: the Berkeley Green public restroom remains closed primarily for lack of cleaning staff and a water fountain repair is underway; staff also reported needles were found near the facility. At Boothe River Park a FERC permit is pending a co‑owner signature from Rice Furniture and recent congressional spending requests were denied; PTAB plans outreach at the Saranac River Clean‑up event on June 28, 12–5 p.m. to discuss Boothe with the public.
The Village resubmitted a NY PLAYS grant for Garwood‑POW Park and will provide the required 20% match in in‑kind services and cash. Minutes record that the Village Board authorized the Community Development Department to submit an application to DASNY requesting up to $646,940.85 toward construction and equipment to improve and renovate the park.
At Lake Colby Beach staff said the Village did not budget this season for rental of accessible restrooms and changing rooms (estimated at roughly $10,000 annually). The accessible path to the beach has been repaired and the beach riding chair is in service; larger accessibility improvements will move to preliminary design this fall with construction likely not before 2028.
Members were told an NBRC grant application for Mount Pisgah upgrades was again unsuccessful, though Killington awarded $23,000 for a new pumphouse. ARTA is installing a Rail Trail kiosk near Will Rogers and is negotiating additional kiosks for Triangle Park and the Depot. River Walk signage upgrades are in progress. The Village returned a proposed renaming of Paddlers Park to PTAB for further public information and comment; the board will discuss the topic at its July meeting, consult Trustee Ryan, and if appropriate draft a resolution for the Village Board.
Additional operational items reported included daily police patrols at the skateboard park (to increase with school out), village staff assuming responsibility for lighting there, ordered long‑lasting crosswalk material expected to last three to five years, and a sidewalk safety concern on Woodruff Street that Chair O’Neill said she would raise with Trustee Ryan.
The meeting adjourned at 7:32 p.m. on a motion by Colleen O’Neill with a second by Jimmy Cunningham.
