The Town of Cambria Summer Day Recreation Program is a free 6 week safe fun filled program of age appropriate activities for the community’s youth age 5 - 15 years old. Currently, we have two sites from which to choose, the Cambria Town Hall/Community Building, 4160 Upper Mt Rd. and the Pekin Fire Hall site. The program hours at both sites are Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Participants do not have to attend every day or for a full day. Activities are outlined on a weekly calendar to include field trips once a week and recreational swimming on Tuesdays. Those participating in swim days are bussed from their site to Fort Niagara. All activities are carefully monitored by our qualified staff members. Parent participation and chaperones are welcome. Parents are also welcome to stop in and observe our daily activities at any time. While we encourage children to participate daily it is important that parents note that the program is not intended to be a babysitting service. While our employees are qualified by guidelines set forth by the Town and State of New York for recreation programs, we do not meet licensed day care requirements.

Registration is required. Local schools are provided with informational flyers usually the second week of June. Additional information can be obtained in the Town Clerk’s office.

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TOWN PARK PLANNING COMMITTEE

townclerk@townofcambria.com

CAMBRIA TOWN PARK PROGRESS REPORT – FEBRUARY 2010   The nature trails are now complete with the addition of placards identifying plants and animals in the park.  The placards were installed as part of an Eagle Scout Project completed by John McIntosh.   The excavation for the southwest road and parking areas, in addition to the retention basin has been completed.  The major drainage piping of 15”, 18” and 24” lines have been installed.  Hundreds of tons of clay and topsoil were used to raise the level of the soccer fields and baseball diamond.  The crushed stone base for the southwest road and parking was completed in October 2009.  The drainage grid of 6” pipe has been started on the baseball diamond.  The plan is to have soccer fields and a baseball diamond finished by Spring 2010.   During the fall of 2009, 100 evergreen trees were planted at the park entrance, the north boundary line and around the retention basin.   Much appreciation to Jon MacSwan, Highway Superintendent and his employees for their hard work which has greatly contributed to the park’s developmental progress.   George J. Bush, Park Planning Committee Chairman

CAMBRIA TOWN PARK

PROGRESS REPORT – AUGUST 2006

 Construction of the Town Park Nature Trail Project is scheduled to commence in the fall.  The project is being funded with a matching grant of $150,000 from New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.  As a New York State funded project, various conditions were imposed and have been addressed by the Town.

The following represents the project status report as of June 30, 2006, as prepared by our Project Engineers, Wendel Duchscherer:

Work Authorized to date:

                                                            Budget                         Percentage

                                                                                                Complete

Master grading/drainage plan             $7,000                          100%

Wetland Delineation                            $2,600                          100%

Topographic survey                             $4,600                          100%

Design Development                           $10,300                         25%

Grant Startup Task                               $3,900                          100%

Archaeological Consultation               $1,100                          80%

In 1999, the Cambria Town Board purchased 108 acres of farmland, west of the Town Hall, on Upper Mountain Road, with intention of developing a recreational town park.

The following information will help to keep the public interested and informed regarding the Committee’s progress. Included in this information are Committee tasks, agendas, letters, meeting Minutes, newspaper articles, survey, as well as additional pertinent documents and information.

COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

Councilman George J. Bush, Chairman
Councilman Robert E. Blackman
Connie A. Berti
Jamie C. Dannhauser
John W. Phillips
Thomas H. Seefeldt
Susan R. Wendt

Wendel-Duchscherer, Professional Consulting Services as required

The first task of the Committee will be to conduct a needs analysis of recreational and/or leisure opportunities within the Town of Cambria. This would focus on current and future demand, an assessment of availability and include the interests of youth through senior citizens. Subsequent actions of the Committee will produce an orderly and phased plan for development of a town park/recreation area on the 108 acre parcel of land located on Upper Mountain Road, presently designated for general town purposes. Funds are available in the 2001 General Budget to support the work of the Committee. A report to the Town Board is required no later than December 31, 2001.

DRAFT MINUTES OF MEETING WITH NYSDEC AND US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS APRIL 24, 2001

On Monday, April 24, 2001, members of the Park Planning Committee met with representatives from the Army Corps of Engineers (USACOE) and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) at the Park Site to obtain information from the regulatory agencies concerning the potential wetland opportunities and constraints that should be considered in the Park development.

Members of the Committee present were: George Bush, Bob Blackman, John Phillips, Connie Berti, Susan Wendt, and Bob Blood from Wendel Duchscherer, Gary McDannell from the USACOE and Ken Roblee and Dave Denk from the NYSDEC represented the regulatory agencies concerning the federal and state wetland programs.

The meeting commenced at the Town Hall where Bob Blood and George Bush explained the goals of the committee, reviewed the aerial photo of the site, and gave a brief description of the ideas that have been discussed to date. Ken Roblee inquired if the Town had a Conservation Commission, since they are often very knowledgeable of the local area and can offer suggestions on significant environmental areas that need preservation. Ken explained that the NYSDEC is concerned about significant environmental areas along the escarpment, however the Park Site is located south of that area Bob Blood delineated the wetland areas and FEMA flood plain area on the map to assist with the orientation of the site prior to the field walk.

Following the briefing, all members toured the wooded area of the Park Site for approximately 1½ hour. It was the consensus of all that only the area south of Bergholtz Creek was impacted by wetlands. The area north of the creek was cultivated and planted with winter wheat, and appeared to be well drained, with the exception of a few small isolated areas. Bergholtz Creek was observed to be in good condition, with a water depth of approximately ten inches and the invert of the creek approximately 4-5 feet below the site elevation. The depth offers the opportunity to develop a drainage system through the proposed athletic field area if required.

The area south of the creek is approximately 34 acres and is comprised of approximately 18 acres of woodland, which surrounds approximately 16 acres of open meadow located near the center. The easterly 1/3 of the meadow area was observed to be swampy and wet with tall reed canary grass throughout. This area is shown on the aerial photo as white.

The westerly 2/3 of the meadow area was higher and soil samples taken by Gary McDannell did not indicate soil modeling, typical of wetland soils. Ken Roblee and Dave Denk agreed that this area would be considered upland. Ken Roblee pointed out the existence of several songbirds in the area along with the sounds of the western chorus frog. This particular chorus frog is rather unique, since the species has been declining since the 1950’s and 60’s throughout the State. Niagara County has the largest remaining population in the State.

As we entered the wooded area to the west, the woods was wet and swampy with small vernal pools scattered throughout. Ken Roblee observed chorus frog larvae in these vernal pools indicating that the species was reproducing and thriving in this environment. As we traveled south and west, we observed a large vernal pool near the west property line. The pool was primarily located on the adjacent property, however the opportunity exists to observe this area if a trail system were constructed throughout the wooded area.

Traveling south and easterly, the wooded area continued to be wet and swampy. It was only on the southeasterly corner of the property that the wooded area was higher and much drier, and considered an upland area. The majority of the wooded area, however, was considered a wetland area.

An ATC/Snowmobile trail was observed through the middle of the meadow area, running north and south. At Bergholtz Creek, the trail turned west and followed the edge of the cultivated field.

At the conclusion of the field walk, it was the consensus of the NYSDEC and USACOE that the areas delineated on the aerial photo were fairly accurate. The opportunity for a trail system through the wetland areas would allow bird watching, hiking opportunities, nature observation, cross-country skiing, etc. The upland meadow area could serve as a small parking area, and trailhead with a sign and maps. A trail system constructed of a wood chip base and corduroy logs laid through bough areas could wind through the wood area and be approximately 5000 to 6000 feet in length.

There was also discussion with Gary McDannel about the possibility of mitigation funds being utilized to enhance these wetland areas and serve as a potential site in Niagara County. Gary explained the past practice, and future requirements, but indicated that the possibility may exist, and that we should keep all parties informed as planning for the Park continues to develop.

Therefore, at the conclusion of the meeting, it was agreed that the NYSDEC and USACOE representatives would be copied on all future minutes, and they thanked the Committee for being invited to participate early in the planning process.

Minutes Respectfully Submitted:

John W. Phillips


STATE FUNDING REQUESTED


PARK INPUT SOUGHT

PARK AND RECREATION AREA SURVEY

CENSUS FIGURES SHOW INCREASE IN YOUTH POPULATION

CAMBRIA TOWN PARK MASTER PLAN: Public Info Meeting held on December 13, 2001.

 

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