Former camp will become Thompsons newest park – Times Herald-Record

THOMPSON A camp formerly owned by the United Cerebral Palsy Association of New York will become the towns newest park.

Supervisor William Rieber said the town was able to acquire the 142-acre site last year at below market value.

We already have a nice park in the north end of town, Rieber said. Now this will anchor the south end of town.

The former Camp Jened was initially the singular focus of the towns recreational development plans. But a study delivered to the town in November said discussions with the advisory Parks and Recreation Committee that was formed in May 2018 convinced officials to take a big picture approach and look at the former camp along with existing open spaces and facilities.

The study sought to answer the questions: What is already available? What is lacking?

And, what could the open space at the former camp provide?

The study said the camp could fill the need for a community center with rentable meeting and activity space, playgrounds, a public beach, and, if future planning decides there is a need, more outdoor sports facilities.

The study envisions an 8,600-square-foot community hall and multi-purpose center that could accommodate 200 people, with a kitchen, a three-quarters gym with no seating, and Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant restrooms.

The estimated cost is $1.9 million.

Athletic facilities could include basketball and tennis courts, and baseball and soccer fields. There also would be space for jump rope, shuffleboard and pickle ball, along with playgrounds and rentable pavilions.

There could be people-powered boating on the lake, including canoes, kayaks, paddle boards and pedal boats.

Rieber said the park will be developed as cash flow permits, from surplus and other sources. There is no plan to issue bonds to pay any costs.

Id like to have it open for passive access by next year, Rieber said.

Before anything else is done, the existing buildings, including 20 cabins, will need to be razed. Most of them were built around 1960. Many are in fair to poor condition and have not been used for at least 10 or 15 years.

mrandall@th-record.com

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Former camp will become Thompsons newest park - Times Herald-Record