Redevelopment Of Fishing Site
Durkee Park is a 15+ acre park located in the far northeast corner of the Village of Homer. Briggs Pool and its surrounds constitute approximately one half of the park area. In addition to the pool area, the park sits on the edge of the west branch of the Tioughnioga River and Cortland County has been engaged in a concerted effort to revitalize the entire River area throughout the County. A 24-inch culvert under the park road connects Briggs Pool and the Tioughnioga River and has allowed fish to now inhabit the pool. This park is the Village’s only large picnicking/recreational facility.
In the early 1970’s, the Briggs family donated the pool area, a former gravel mine, to the Village with a covenant in the deed stating that the property would revert back to the family if it were not maintained as a recreational facility.
The pool area, including a sandy beach and bathhouse, was operational as a municipal swimming facility from 1974 through 1993. In the early 1990’s, swimmers began to complain when insect larvae began attaching themselves to swimmers. Because water flows through the pool area, silt build-up was increasing insect infestation. A recommendation by the Cortland County Health Department called for the installation of a costly filtration system and better chlorination to produce better water quality and also increase the visibility of swimmers. This cost, in tandem with other aging equipment, the difficulty of manning the pool with lifeguards, declining patronage because of the water quality, and the high cost of liability insurance, forced the Village Board to come to a painful decision to close the pool portion of the park. A locked chain link fence surrounds this pool area and is only opened for special occasions to allow for use of the bathroom facilities.
The Village hired Village of Homer resident, Cindy Teter, Landscape Architect, to provide a design plan and cost estimates for the reuse of Briggs Pool as a fishing site. With Thoma’s assistance, the Village received NYS Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act funding in 2002 in the amount of $49,200. Per the application requirements, the Village is responsible for providing a 50/50 match which it is doing in cash and in-kind services. When the project is finished, there will be new sidewalks and decking; signage; lighting; new fencing; improvements to the bathroom facilities; and general improvements to the site. All fishing facilities will meet Americans With Disabilities Act requirements.
Thoma looks forward to providing photographs of the site when all work is completed!