Archive: News

Lansing Councilwoman Katrina Binkewicz unveiled a plan to cut off vehicular traffic from most of Salt Point Wednesday.  Owned by the DEC (New York Department of Environmental Conservation), the Town has a 25 year lease to manage the property.  Binkewicz says the new plan will discourage unlawful activities while bringing the point closer to the original plan  for managing it as a natural area conducive to hiking, bird watching, and other quiet activities.

"Over the last year the vehicle traffic has been very, very negative," Binkewicz told the Town Board.  "There are large divits and big potholes.  There is a lot of dangerous behavior.  I heard from someone that they were almost run over by someone speeding.  There has also been a lot of dumping of trash."


In January Park Superintendent Steve Colt recommended the Town lock a gate near the entryway, prohibiting vehicles from entering any part of the point, and forcing visitors to park in a lot located near the entrance.  The new plan allows for automobile access to a non-motorized boat launch area at the north of the point.  Parking is available there for those launching boats and for those needing handicapped access.  The rest of the point will be closed off by a barrier that will protect the natural areas, including a fire pit space at the lakefront.  The rest of what is now a perimeter road will become part of a walking trail system.

The entry gate will be moved to the other side of the railroad track, closing off access to the majority of the park, but allowing access to the road going to the boat launch/picnic area that parallels the railroad track, and keeping the tracks open for access by Norfolk Southern Railroad.  Concrete traffic barriers will be placed along the perimeter to prevent vehicles from entering the larger section of the point.


The gate will include a knox box so emergency vehicles, town workers, and trucks for special events like the Fourth of July fireworks can gain access when needed.  With the gate moved, access to the boat launch area and the railroad tracks will always be open, allowing people who own cabins north of the point to retain their access (a new road is under consideration that will make access through the park unnecessary).

"People will park in the little parking lot near the entrance and walk down," Binkewicz said.  "If they want to have a larger party they can take their red wagon or a wheelbarrow.  Safety is definitely the first important piece, but developing it as a natural area is also very important."

Binkewicz says the Town has an opportunity to get the barriers at a reduced price if they are purchased now.  She says they will cost the Town more than $8,000.  If funds become available later for a more attractive system of berms and fences, they will become property of the Highway Department for use on road projects. 

"This is a temporary solution," she said.  Once we get grant money for, perhaps, cedar guides, maybe berms and tree plantings, they can store them at the Town Barn and use them for their highway needs."

Binkewicz was involved with group of people who worked on the management the Town submitted to DEC when it pursued the management agreement.  The plan aimed to keep vehicles off the point and encourage walking and activities within a natural area.  She is also instrumental in getting 15 new trees and two acres of wildflowers planted this Spring.

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