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Austin Park Project Town Board Statement

Friday, November 25, 2022

November 23,2022

Dear Town of Skaneateles Residents,


Please beware of sensationalized, misleading information being spread on social media regarding the
proposed upgrades to our beloved Austin Park. For a factual presentation about the evolution of this
project and current plans, please attend our next Austin Park Improvement information meeting to be
scheduled in January. Based on community input for well over 3 years, including our last public meeting
in October, we have significantly modified the proposed plans in response.
The Town Board has conducted a completely transparent process, open to all feedback. We have changed
course several times after hearing community concerns and suggested improvements. We are diligently
ensuring that the proposed upgrades to our existing facilities serve our community's wants and our Parks
Department’s needs with minimal disruption to daily activities and neighbors of Austin Park. As Town
Board members who reside in this community, we cherish these lands as much as anyone.
One common misconception is that the Parks Department will introduce equipment and materials not
previously seen in the park, our parks department has continuously operated from Austin Park. Equipment
has always been stored at our park in the parking lots, in the Austin Pavilion and the former tool and
zamboni rooms. During the off season and when not in use, some equipment was stored at the Fennell
Street location. We simply need a dedicated storage area within the pavilion to secure our equipment for
efficient operation. Safety has always been a top priority and will continue.
The proposed Austin Pavilion storage will reduce parks department traffic since we will no longer need to
transport equipment to and from Fennell Street. Of note, traffic has significantly decreased since the
skating rink closed in 2017. We do not anticipate an increase in traffic to that level again.
It is our goal to update the current facility to make a functional space for our residents, community groups
that currently use this space and our Parks Department. We will take every measure necessary to ensure
that safety, traffic, impact on neighbors, and property values are not negatively affected. We are confident
this can be done while improving the existing facility.
Please join us at the meeting in January to see updated designs and plans currently under development.
The updated plans differ significantly from the original plans shown online which were simply a first
draft of several options that the board was considering. We look forward to sharing these new ideas with
the entire community. Check our website www.townofskaneateles.com or our Town of Skaneateles
Facebook page in early January for the meeting date and location.


Thank You,
The Skaneateles Town Board

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