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A new bench has been donated to replace one that was stolen from Salt Point on or before April 6th. Thieves unbolted a security chain before making off with the bench.  Park Superintendent Steve Colt is working with local law enforcement to identify the thief, and says he has increased security measures in the parks since the bench was stolen.  This week Ralph (Rocky) F. Thurston surprised town officials and 'Friends of Salt Point' members when he built a replacement bench and delivered it to Salt Point.

newspbenchRalph F. Thurston donated this Leopold bench to Salt Point after a similar bench was stolen two weeks ago. Photograph by Robert Rieger

The stolen bench was one of three Aldo Leopold-style benches donated by a "Friends of Salt Point" member with labor donated by local carpenters.  It was on the edge of a cleared area looking north over Cayuga Lake, next to a Little Free Library stand and near a parking area.

On seeing a report on the theft in the April 10th issue of the Lansing Star Thurston decided to do something about it.  An Aurora native who now lives in Ithaca, Thurston told Colt he likes to run at Salt Point.  When he read the article he decided to build a replacement and donate it to the park.  Thurston says he named his company, Atlas Built, after his three year old son.  Thurston does light residential and custom wood jobs, including flooring, bathroom and kitchen remodelingand rental property turn-overs.  This year he is adding landscaping as well. Atlas helped his dad make the bench, which was crafted 90% by hand.  He carved the company name into the back rest on the bench.

Colt says the Tompkins County Sheriff's Department is still investigating the theft.

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