Cook Forest Alternative

We have the opportunity to provide the whole community with a convenient nature area, nature trail and research center directly within the borders of the Village of Union Springs, adjacent to the High School, adjacent to the Fox Senior Citizen Housing, adjacent to the north millpond, and to Frontenac Park. What a great chance to bring “nature” right into the heart of a community and within easy walking distance of homes, roads, marinas, and shops!

One property has already been offered to the Village of Union Springs for free; and in talks with the other adjacent property owner, there has been a willingness to discuss the many options open.

These options include:

- Outright purchase of the property

- Purchase of a portion of the property

- A rolling easement for a trail across the adjacent property

- Donation of a “Conservation Easement” by the adjacent owner(s) to the Village or school.

- A working cooperative agreement and trade of rights between the adjacent owner and the school to clear up or provide access for the school through their property and better access for that adjacent owner to their property.

The proposal is an effort to save the citizens of the State and Union Springs school district approximately $500,000 by partially redirecting efforts from the Cook Memorial Forest to the lands immediately south of the Union Springs High School. For over thirty years the marsh and woodlands adjacent to the school have been identified by many members of this community as an ideal natural learning landscape. Few communities have such a valuable resource within the municipal boundaries and adjacent to so many existing public facilities. The Cook Forest site does not offer the varied natural habitat options nor the proximity to public facilities.

We already have within easy driving distance numerous natural resources already developed for nature education and partially or totally paid for through tax dollars.

Just to the north, about 15 minutes away, we have the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge. Within a 50 minute drive we have the Cayuga County Sterling Nature Center, Baltimore Woods, Cayuga Nature Center, Sapsucker Woods and the Nature Center at Cayuga Community College. And now we have embarked on another state funded nature center in Savanna, NY as part of the Northern Montezuma Complex. Even before the events of September 11, 2001 nature centers were struggling to find support either through tax dollars or public and private funds. In the present economic situation it will be all the harder.

This proposal would place at the doorstep of one half of the district students a nature trail and learning laboratory... reducing busing time and expense.

And most importantly the proposal presented here hits all the important funding requirements for state grants. The bottom line is that there is a much better future funding chances for this proposal through State and private funding sources than the originally proposed plan at Cook Forest alone.

In place of a new building in Cook Forest, it is proposed that existing school laboratory facilities be utilized and/or that the old stone Home Economics building be revitalized and possibly expanded to become a combined nature center and summer home “trail head” for the Route 90 association and local chamber of commerce... thus promoting our local economy and natural resources.

The existing Cook Forest could still be improved with better trails and a shelter of some kind. It is the belief of many that a large facility as proposed for the Cook Forest would be an unnecessary expense and would be a target for vandals. As development continues along the Cayuga Lake shore a place to hike and bird watch will be what Cook Forest is best suited for.

Also there is no potential to expand Cook Forest south toward Yawgers Creek. The adjacent owner has ruled out such expansion.

The proposal herein, has been presented to the Village of Union Spring Town Board, the Village of Union Springs Planning Board, educators at Wells College, nature educators from four of the most prominent existing facilities recently named, and many town and village residents and local community organizations. All have indicated a desire to further explore this money saving alternative. All stress the need to direct time, energy and moneys toward getting children and the public into nature, not into a structured lab facility. And the need to use this opportunity to enhance the local economy and to do so right in our own back yard.

I ask that the board please take the time to explore the feasibility of this alternative and the cost savings involved.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

William S. Hecht

Union Springs, New York

889-7761