Originally Posted - July 27, 2006

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ALBANY---Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) grants totaling $1,616,172 for 11 open space, recreation, preservation and waterfront revitalization projects in Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego and Madison counties have been announced by the Governor's office.

The EPF grants are administered by the Department of State and the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation. Secretary of State Christopher L. Jacobs visited the region to highlight two of the awards: a $135,000 grant to the city of Rome for construction of a Mohawk River Hike and Bike Trail connecting Bellamy Harbor Park to Delta Lake State Park, and a $110,000 grant to the City of Oswego for renovations to docks at Wright's Landing Marina on Oswego Harbor.

"The Environmental Protection Fund has been a critical tool in supporting local projects that provide new opportunities for people to access and enjoy our natural resources and historic treasures," Gov. George Pataki said. "We are pleased to provide these 11 grants to help communities improve the local quality of life by protecting open space and revitalizing waterfront areas, creating and expanding outdoor recreation, and preserving the character and heritage of the Central New York region. These grants are an investment that will truly benefit these communities and local residents for years to come."

The 5.5-mile Mohawk River Hike and Bike Trail will provide a continuous, green connection through the heart of the city of Rome, and complement a number of other investments being made in the downtown area. These include the installation of streetscape improvements, including lighting and signs, sidewalk upgrades, and the addition of green space and street trees. The grant funding for the trail also will be used to continue the city's waterfront/downtown coordinator position.

Wright's Landing Marina, located at the northern terminus of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, provides water access and recreational activities adjacent to the city of Oswego's Westside business district. The marina also supports tourism development goals, and builds on Oswego's strong record of waterfront investment. The city will repair and renovate the dock and dock finger of the Wright's Landing Marina "Blue Dock," install electric, cable and potable water service at the dock, upgrade electric service to the marina, and install three safety pedestals with fire extinguisher and life buoys at the White, Red and Blue docks.

City of Rome Mayor James Brown said, "Time and time again New York State has come through for us in our efforts to revitalize our downtown and to develop our waterfront. The technical assistance and financial assistance that has been provided to us through Department of State programs has been crucial to our progress and to our status as a Quality Community. I would like to thank Governor Pataki and Secretary Jacobs for their commitment to Rome, and for providing their expert staff as a resource for us to tap into. We look forward to partnering with New York State for many years to come as we continue on our path to success."

Oswego Mayor Randolph F. Bateman said, "Oswego's waterfront has been the key to our economic health and quality of life since its founding. Today, we are excited by this new opportunity to partner with New York State to make Oswego shine as a great Port City on the Great Lakes. It is through these new resources that we as a city government can bring our dream to reality. Oswego's marina facilities can now be shared with even more of New York State's citizens and visitors, thanks to the continuing support of New York State and these EPF grants. Oswego's waterfront is one of our greatest assets. Our tourism industry relies on developing and improving our waterfront resources to ensure that visitors, looking for water-related activities, have a positive experience when they visit Oswego's harbor."

The other two grants administered through the Department of States Division of Coastal Resources include support for renovations to Wrights Landing Marina "Blue Dock" on Oswego Harbor, community visioning and planning in the Village of Pulaski, and beach stabilization in the Village of Sylvan Beach. The remaining seven grants announced today are administered through the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) and include the creation of recreational trails, rehabilitation of historic properties, development and improvements of parklands.

Since 1995, the State Environmental Protection Fund has provided nearly $1.3 billion in State assistance for more than 4,700 projects that protect and enhance the quality of New Yorks natural resources. More than $87 million has been invested in EPF grants administered by State Parks to support 745 municipal open space, recreation and historic preservation projects in communities across New York State. The Department of State's Division of Coastal Resources has administered more than $80 million for 775 EPF LWRP grants since 1995.

In addition to the grants for Rome and Oswego, other awards include:

Oswego County
Oswego School District Public Library $200,000 (OPRHP)

The Oswego School District Public Library is the oldest continuously operated library building in the state of New York, opened in 1856 through the generosity of abolitionist Gerrit Smith. In the second phase of a major preservation and expansion project, the interior public spaces of the building will be rehabilitated in a historically sensitive manner, allowing the nationally significant structure to serve as an accessible, state-of-the-art public library for present and future generations. Recently listed on the National Register and on the National Park Service Network to Freedom, the library is also recognized as an important element in the regional heritage tourism.

City of Fulton $200,000 (OPRHP)

The city of Fulton will extend its River Walk trail along the Oswego River to the south a distance of 2,400 feet. This is an important piece of the Bridge-to-Bridge trail, which includes Canal Landing and the Towpath Trail, and will strengthen Fultons historic downtown and emphasize its connection to the river/canal. Together, these developments help to reinsure the central place of the river in the identity of Fulton.

Village of Pulaski $25,000 (DOS)
The village of Pulaski, in partnership with the town of Richland, will conduct community visioning and planning for revitalization of the Salmon River waterfront, connecting the waterfront with the business district, and identification and evaluation of a waterfront trail system and related recreation amenities. The village will also complete construction of a trail in John Ben Snow Community Complex.

Onondaga County
Matilda Joslyn Gage Foundation, Inc. $290,000 (OPRHP)
The Matilda Joslyn Gage Foundation is working to rehabilitate the property as an historic house museum and visitor center to interpret the life, work and times of Gage. Considered a member of the woman suffrage triumvirate along with Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, Gage lived in the home from 1854-1898. The nationally-significant Greek Revival style home, which figures principally in the downtown revitalization of Fayetteville, has suffered from generally poor maintenance for many years and requires immediate attention to preserve it.

Oneida County
Town of Marcy $50,000 (OPRHP)
The town of Marcy will renovate the Marcy Municipal Pool. This project is important because it allows for a safe and inexpensive way to provide programs such as swimming lessons, lifeguard training, and other healthy initiatives for local youth and elderly. The main goal of this project is to create a modern swimming facility that is accessible to all citizens regardless of their ages and abilities.

City of Sherrill $200,000 (OPRHP)
The city of Sherill is the smallest city in the State of New York but faces many of the same difficult challenges of the state largest cities. Oneida Limited has historically shaped the economic and social fabric of the city in times of prosperity and decline. Purchase of the Community Associated Clubs facility will preserve this longstanding recreational asset, which continues to carry out the original vision of the Oneida community.

Village of Sylvan Beach $23,025 (DOS)
The village will develop alternative beach stabilization methods and produce a phased action plan for implementation at its mile-long, eroded municipal beach on Oneida Lake. In addition, the beach will be replenished with sand derived from New York State Canal Corporation dredging after testing and a Beneficial Use Determination are conducted.

Madison County
Smithfield Community Association $123,147 (OPRHP)
The Smithfield Community Association was founded in 1992 for the purpose of preservation and rehabilitation in the town of Smithfield. The Association will improve, protect, preserve and restore the Gerrit Smith Estate National Historic Landmark by acquisition of two land parcels, assessing and stabilizing the property, and restoring one building. The Landmark is important to local, state and national heritage because the property is "of exceptional value for its long and widely recognized association with the national abolition movement and its prominent role in the operation and financing of the Underground Railroad."

Town of Sullivan $260,000 (OPRHP)
The town of Sullivan is going to construct a handicapped accessible fishing pier on Oneida Lake, a handicapped accessible trail along the waterfront, restrooms and picnic area at Lakeside Park. The park development will provide needed public access to Oneida lake and will provide a significant amenity for the further development of the Lakeside Community, a Traditional Neighborhood Development being implemented on approximately 350 acres of primarily vacant land near the hamlet of Lakeport. This project will significantly improve recreational opportunities and waterfront access for all residents. 7-27-06

© 2006 North Country Gazette