By Jason Klaiber
Staff Writer
The Village of Fayetteville recently proposed a project designed to breathe new life into Canal Landing Park.
The park, adjacent to Limestone Creek, has already seen multiple improvements since its initial construction in 2011.
These improvements included the addition of trails, a bridge over Limestone Creek, a new pedestrian bridge over the Feeder Canal and a car-top boat launch as well as the removal of the residential structures on Feeder Street.
Now the village plans to introduce a sixth phase.
As outlined, this stage of development would consist of the construction of another pedestrian bridge over the Feeder Canal, another site for launching kayaks and canoes, interpretive signage informing visitors of the area’s history, an observation deck overlooking Limestone Creek and a multi-purpose sport field.
Noting a lack of areas in the village designed for organized athletics, Mayor Mark Olson said the 155-by-300-foot multi-purpose field would accommodate local soccer, lacrosse and football leagues in each sport’s respective season of play.
The conceptual plan, created with the help of Fayetteville-based engineering company Barton & Loguidice, calls for a picnic area in Canal Landing Park and the removal of trees to create open space.
Olson said the picnic area’s three pavilions would potentially be propped up by Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, serving as a community service opportunity for local troops.
According to Olson, the Fayetteville Fireman’s Association and youth sports leagues in the village would likely help fund the planned improvements.
“We really want the community to get involved, but we also want the community to use this [park],” Olson said. “People are going to be amazed at how nice it is.”
If the phase VI application is accepted, New York State may provide adequate grant money, as was the case with the previous improvements at and around Canal Landing Park.
Olson said the village should have enough resources in store to carry out at least a portion of the plan either way.
He also said the finished project—with all six phases—would connect the village to a greater degree, allowing any park visitors to use the trails and bridges to make their way to local shops and businesses.
With the use of a $577,000 Water Quality Improvement Project grant, the village intends to fulfill a two-part bank stabilization endeavor along sections of Bishop’s Brook and Limestone Creek.
This entails the building of backfilled stone walls along these banks and the replacement of sidewalk damaged by high water levels.
