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The Town of Lansing is a step closer to realizing its plan to transform Salt Point, restoring its natural features and making it a place where people can enjoy nature.  At Wednesday's Town Board meeting the Salt Point Management Plan was unanimously approved, paving the way for landscaping and construction to begin.  The Town's Environmental Planner Darby Kiley presented the plan.  "Our agreement with DEC (Department of Environmental Conservation) allows us to have low-impact, non-motorized uses," she explained.

The plan it to construct two roads, the first a gated entry that leads to a parking area, and the second a loop road along the Northern side of the area.  Educational kiosks will be erected, and places to launch non-motorized boats.  Existing roads will be revegetated, and walking paths will be established.  All motorized traffic will be restricted to the two roads. 
Salt Point was so named because the Cayuga Lake Salt Company used it to process salt from 1891 through 1962.  When the company was sold to Cargill salt processing was moved to its current location a few miles south.  The land was purchased by DEC in the 1960s, but never developed by them, due to lack of resources.  That's why they were receptive when the Town approached them with its plan to restore the area to a safe, clean, natural resource.

The entrance is on Myers Road, North of Myers Park.  Salt Point is separated from Myers Park by Salmon Creek.  The Town hopes to eventually get a grant to build a walking bridge between the two parks.  The first step will be for the Highway Department to construct the new roads and block off the old dirt ones.  Volunteers will be needed to complete the project.  The park will be open during specific hours to help prevent illegal activities and dumping that have plagued it until now.


"This is not to limit fishing and hunting," Kiley said, "but the Town is trying to encourage other uses of the area."  She said the Town has grant funding for the project through the Cayuga Lake Watershed Intermunicipal Organization.  "That will cover the engineering plans, and then we also have money for materials," Kiley said.  She has been working with a committee to develop the plan, and says their next task is to develop rules and regulations for the park's use.

Kiley noted that a Canalway Celebration Day event will be held at Salt Point on June 3.  People will be walked through the area to learn about the plan and to give feedback to the committee as well.  The plan had been made public for a month prior to the public hearing, and Kiley said that most public comment was encouraging.

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