![]() |
|
|
How
did Sacandaga Park get to where it is today? |
||
How
things could change The last few years has seen a gradual influx of new residents into the Northampton area. A few newcomers are settling in Sacandaga Park. The newcomers tend to be retirees attracted by what the Adirondack Park has to offer. Most have historic ties to the region. This trend would be strengthened and the resident composition rejuvenated if suitable local employment opportunities existed. With the influx of residents has come development pressure, especially along the lake front. Since Sacandaga Park is small, squeezed between Rt30 and the lake, it's survival as a historic park with a special character requires protective measures. With the Town's Historic Preservation Ordinance in place it is conceivable to embark on a serious effort to preserve and revitalize the Park area through the creation of a Historic District. The District could then become a vehicle for the creation of a type of Common Interest Development (CID) with some similarity to earlier times when the railroad managed the common property. Such a semi-private organizational structure would be able to actively pursue policies to: initiate open space preservation through easement acquisition (instead of the type of after-the-fact litigation that typically results from unwanted development); privately manage the Park Water & Sewer District (instead of endless complaining to the Town); assert historic right of ways for pedestrian use (instead of furtive use); establish a ban on passing-through vehicular traffic (McKinley Avenue would be a lot safer for children); pursue a more equitable allocation of property taxes (Park residents get fully taxed but use few services); promote preservation of Park monuments and wooded areas; and propose other regulatory efforts that contribute to the preservation of the Park and the well-being of its residents. This is the idea behind the Sacandaga Station Cottage Project. In the absence of a pro-active preservation attitude, Sacandaga Park will gradually see its heritage fade away - the cottages and spaces replaced by generic recreational development .The Railroad Station is strategically located and could develop into a community center for the entire Sacandaga Park area. |
||