Heritage Park Design Committee (HPDC) Meeting

The monthly HPDC meeting is scheduled for Thursday, July 28th, 7pm at the Montezuma Town Hall. Items up for discussion this month are logging proposal update, networking opportunities, signage, kiosks, trail designation, Canal Splash Canal Site Tours and community picnic, RTCA technical assistance, and funding.  Anyone is welcome to join the group or just attend the meeting.

Cycling Through Montezuma

It was a great morning meeting bikers from all over the US and Canada.  Lots stopped by and were very interested in learning more about the great Erie Canal history and our plans for the park in Montezuma.

CANAL SPLASH MOVIE NIGHT

Plans are in the works for the Canal Splash Celebration this year on Saturday, August 13th.  Following the tour of sites in Montezuma, there will be a picnic in Memorial Park, and a rare showing of a classic film in the town hall that depicts life as it was on the Erie Canal in upstate New York set in the mid-19th century.

"The Farmer Takes a Wife" opened as a 1934 Broadway play based on a novel, "Rome Haul"  by Walter D. Edmonds.  This film is the 1953 movie version of “A Farmer Takes a Wife,” starring Betty Grable and Dale Robertson. The movie was based on Walter Edmond’s novel "Rome Haul," and is a tale of love and conflict along the Erie Canal.

Heritage Park Design Committee Meeting (HPDC)

The monthly HPDC meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 23rd, 7pm at the Montezuma Town Hall. Items up for discussion this month are signage, kiosk, trail designation, and funding sources.  Anyone is welcome to join the group or just attend the meeting.

2011 FOLLOWING THE FLOW CANAL SPLASH TOUR - AUGUST 13TH

Mike Riley has posted the schedule for this year's Following the Flow Canal Splash Tour. For information and updates visit: http://canalsplash.blogspot.com. This is a joint program sponsored by the historical societies of Weedsport, Port Byron and Montezuma.

INSPIRED BY ASHES -- PHOENIX RISING?

What happened to our canal town that was once bustling with small businesses and civic organizations that helped support the needs of the community?  The Erie Canal was the catalyst that led Montezuma to grow and prosper by providing a man-made flow of commerce, trade and activity for the town.  When it became time for the old canals to close and move to the outskirts of town,  I believe we lost a sense of place that held it together.  Was the old just really abandoned left to a pile of ashes, or is it ready to give rise to something new.  The new Erie Canal/Seneca River is still on the outskirts of the center of town. We are still connected to it by the parkland that holds our culture and heritage that gratefully has been preserved. We have an opportunity to bring this community alive again through it.   It's flowing and alive with possibility for the town.

When Dan Randolph and my husband, Stan were digging the holes for the sign, they hit ashes. Much of the town burned down with fires that year after year finally destroyed what once existed here.  I found it interesting that we discovered those ashes on the site and at a time where and when we have started to rebuild a sense of our identity and place lost so long ago.

In Greek mythology, a phoenix is a mythical bird with a colorful plumage  It has a 500 to 1000 year life-cycle, near the end of which it builds itself a nest of twigs that then ignites; both nest and bird burn fiercely and are reduced to ashes. It then has the ability to be reborn from its own ashes and become the offspring of the older one.

The Phoenix has long been presented as a symbol of rebirth, immortality, and renewal. The Belgian silver coin commemorating sixty years of peace, depicts the Phoenix as a representation of a new Europe, post 1945. The capital of Arizona was so named as it was built on the ruins of a civilization that had existed on the site centuries before. What endless possibilities are there ready for the Halls of Montezuma to rebirth and renew? As the offspring of the older Phoenix, what can we do to rebuild from the ruins of the past?

Heritage Park Design Committee Meeting (HPDC)

There will be a HPDC meeting on Thursday, May 26 at 7 PM at the Town Hall.  Anyone interested is welcome to attend. 

I have updated this blog (click on the new page links at the top of the page) to introduce you to our committee and describe the conceptual plan and trail system the committee has been discussing for the park. Mike Riley has created this as a working document for the basis of our action plan.

The dedication of the first trail in memory of Byron Lapp will be held on Memorial Day, May 30th with the program starting at the VFW at 2 PM.  Chicken BBQ by the Men's VFW Auxiliary from 11-?
(more details on the blog post below)

MEMORIAL DAY REMEMBRANCE & TRAIL DEDICATION

The Town of Montezuma Highway employees, Jeff Dawson and Denny Lapp, Jr, have at demolished an old shed that remains on the historic property recently purchased by the Town of Montezuma just north of the firehouse on High Street.  Two old trailers have been removed and a stone from the crossover bridge has been placed along the trail as a marker in preparation for a Memorial Day Trail Dedication Ceremony.

This site is adjacent to the towpath head located at what was the junction point of the Erie Canal and Cayuga-Seneca Canal. The remains of an abutment that held the crossover bridge which allowed drivers and teams to navigate between the canals are along the bank of the Erie Canal and site. The historic Exchange Hotel was built on this lot Circa 1830 and burned in 1918. 

 On Monday, May 30th at 2 PM, the Montezuma Thurston-Schramm-Reynolds VFW will join with the Montezuma Historical Society for a traditional service to honor a National Remembrance of those who have died in service to their country.  As part of the Memorial Day event, the Town of Montezuma will recognize former town supervisor, Byron Lapp, for his dedication in service to his country and community. He is being honored by naming the first trail in Montezuma Heritage Park.

Byron served as Town Supervisor from 1966 to 1975. During that time he worked to acquire 136 acres of property with help of funding through the Outdoor Recreation Development Bond Act and Water Conservation Act of 1965. The site contained several historic sites of early Erie Canal history and natural resources along the Seneca River and adjacent to the Montezuma Wildlife Refuge.  He also was instrumental in acquiring public water for the Town of Montezuma during his tenure.  Byron was a Army veteran of World War II and received a Silver Metal. He also was one of the early commanders of the VFW. Following his service as town supervisor, he was killed in a tragic muckland farming accident. His wife, Agnes is a lifelong resident and one of our oldest residents who resides in town at age 94.

Guest speakers for the trail dedication will include former town lawyer Peter Corning who assisted Byron with the legal aspects of acquiring the eight parcels; Mike Riley, Canal Society of New York; Town Supervisor, John Malenick; and a Proclamation presented by Cayuga County Legislator David Axton.  Members of the Port Byron Band will play music throughout the event. The VFW Men's Auxiliary will hold a Chicken BBQ from 11 AM - ? The Thurston-Schramm-Reynolds Post 8137, Ladies & Men Auxiliary and AMVETS Post 513, and the Montezuma Historical Society contributed the plaque to be placed on the historic stonework of the crossover bridge abutment which will officially be named the Byron Lapp Memorial Trail at the ribbon cutting ceremony.

This signifies an important turning point for Montezuma in building of a greater sense of community by preserving the land which defines us, on which lives, livelihoods, and legacies were grounded. According to Senator George I. Mitchell in the Forward of a book about communities called Groundswell, "the passion for 'place' that defines a community is often the key element for achieving surprising agreement and positive results."

Join us in honoring those who have served our country, gave their lives for our freedom, and for Byron's work to preserve this important piece of history!

We're One Step Closer to Closing the Gap!

 Thanks, Cayuga Community Fund

View Article

Heritage Park Design Committee Meeting

There will be a meeting of the Design Committee this Thursday, April 28th at 7 PM at the Town Hall.

Everyone is welcome to attend,  learn more about the project and help develop the plans. It is the intention of the committee to work with the community to consider preferences with regard to the park; identify issues and develop strategies for sustaining the historic and natural resources of the park; and identify phases needed to plan for orderly and manageable growth.

At the last meeting the committee discussed the overall objectives for the Heritage Park as opportunities to explain the history, create water access, youth development, community involvement, preservation, and marketing opportunities to Naturalists. It was recognized that there is significant potential for tourism as a growing part of the canal system. The committee noted important reasons for the Town to develop the park for use were preserving town's canal heritage, potential for economic, community development and involvement, recreational uses for the community and visitors, and the interpretation of the unique story for interpretation with regard to use and abuse of natural resources.


A goal was set to establish phases for the Heritage Park to work on over the next few months which will be broken into doable phases. Using the information and ideas gathered by the SUNY-ESF student project and through the grant received from the EPF (Environmental Protection Fund) objectives for the project phases will include the overall planning for clearing and layout of trails, developing the trailhead area, signage, dockage, identifying unique habitats, and agreements with agencies for land use.

SPOTTED TODAY IN MONTEZUMA....

Were they bald eagles, were they cranes, 

or was it the Easter Bunny? 

No....they were volunteer stewards doing service for our community in celebration of Earth Day. 

The second Clean Sweep event sponsored this week by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County worked on the other end of the towpath trail today in Heritage Park. Twenty-five volunteers with boy cub scouts and girl scouts, and American Heritage Girls traveling from Bloomfield came out to help with the clean up in Heritage Park.  Working on badges for "Care for My Environment" and "Leave No Trace," they were practicing being good stewards of our environment.

These groups and the leaders are dedicated to helping youth build integrity through service.  Thanks to Amy Barra, Environmental Educator at CCE for coordinating the event.

and to everyone -- THANKS -- GREAT JOB!

2011 Clean Sweep Brave Volunteer Ducks & A Goose

Duck, Duck...Goose

"Hey, Paul how's it going?" JUST DUCKY!

Great Job! Leland, Mary and & Katherine Sumner

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO SHOW PRIDE IN OUR COMMUNITY -- LET'S DO OUR PART FOR A BILLION ACTS OF GREEN

It's been a long winter here in Central New York. I think we all are more than ready to welcome Spring and appreciate the warmer weather. Sadly, one of the first signs of Spring is the garbage and debris we see along the highways, parks and trails as the melted snow reveals what has collected over the winter. One way to celebrate Spring and honor Mother Earth is by volunteering to help clean our parks and trails through a multi-community event sponsored in connection with the New York State Canal Corporation, Parks & Trails New York, and the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation.

The Town of Montezuma is planning its second year of participation in the New York State Canal Clean Sweep program to organize clean-up activities on canal historic sites within the Heritage Park area.  The clean up day will be held on Saturday, April 16, 2011. Plans are to meet at the at 9:00 AM at the parking area on Erie Street, off Route 90 near the fire house.  Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own gloves and supplies, and to wear comfortable clothing and shoes.
 
Robin Dropkin, executive director of Parks and Trails New York, said, “The growth of the Canal Clean Sweep in recent years clearly shows that local pride in the Canal and the Canalway Trail is high and the spirit of volunteerism is flourishing across the state. Especially in such challenging economic times, the canal system and Canalway Trail, which are growing in prominence as a world-class tourism destination, become even more important as close-to-home recreational resources for local residents and all New Yorkers. We are pleased to again join community groups and citizens in cleaning up the canal corridor in advance of the summer season.”

Site near the towpath and main trail leading to Heritage Park.

This event also coincides with the celebration of Earth Day on April 22,  which began in 1970 launching the modern environmental movement. The Earth Day Network encourages Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world. In recognition of the power of millions of individual actions, Earth Day 2011 has initiated a campaign to inspire and reward commitments both small and large to better sustain and support our environment. The goal is to register one billion actions in advance of the Earth Summit in Rio in 2012.  A Billion Acts of Green® website quantifies acts of green through an easy-to-use online registration tool at:    http://act.earthday.org/.  

Unfortunately, we can't always stop this kind of illegal dumping, but we can help by being the change we want to see in others. Through our efforts in participating we can take pride knowing we are doing are part with cleanup and beautification activities on April 16th that will help the environment and protect the beauty of our historic canal and natural resources for years to come. Come enjoy the great outdoors and join the Clean Up!

Engaging With the Power of Place

For centuries, visitors have traveled to historical places to understand the impact of past generations. In the past decade, the cultural heritage tourism movement in the US has been gaining recognition and momentum with an impact on the economy and quality experiences for tourists. This week I had the pleasure of attending a symposium produced by the New York State Cultural Heritage Tourism Network and the Upstate Institute at Colgate University entitled "Bridges to the Future, Empowerment through Collaboration."

Cheryl Hargrove, keynote speaker, termed cultural heritage tourism "as a mosaic of places, traditions, art forms, celebrations and experiences that define this nation and its people reflecting the diversity and character of the U.S." She spoke about sustaining cultural heritage tourism through increased local benefit and value to its residents, long-term impact, opportunities for collaboration, and expanding partnerships that demand authentic experiences for visitors. Historic, cultural and natural attractions are experienced through the places and activities that authentically represent the stories and people of the past and present.

There were five guiding principles that were stressed throughout this program: 1) collaboration; 2) preserving and protecting resources; 3) making sites and programs come alive; 4) find the fit between community and tourism; and 5) focusing on authenticity and quality.

The program was a wonderful opportunity to network with other cultural heritage museums and sites from New York State, share experiences, identify future needs for networking, and learn about the resources available to help communities wanting to showcase their unique "Place." Spike Herzig lead the wrap up session that identified advocacy by participants as important future topic for discussion to ensure this part of the growing tourism industry is understood, recognized and supported.

The "new" cultural heritage traveler is preferring leisure travel that is educational, they want to engage with locals and will travel farther to get that experience.  Once again, I'm reminded that it's through the Power of Place and the people telling their unique and authentic stories, that is of most interest to visitors to our area.

Visit the New York Heritage Culture Tourism website at: http://nychtn.org

What's The Secret Ingredient?

Way down in the Southern west corner of Georgia sits a small town named Colquitt, with big dreams, and no limits.  I had the pleasure of visiting Colquitt with a population of 2000, not much bigger than Montezuma, attending a conference called, "Building Creative Communities, The Art of Storytelling, Community Building & Social Change."  It's taken me some time to digest all that I received from attending. In addition to the warmth of the Southern sunshine, a much welcome break from our winter here in Central New York, and their genuine southern hospitality, I felt a warmth that went beyond the sunshine. It was the heart and soul of a town alive that had been miraculously transformed. The air tingled with it;  you seen it in the smiles on their faces; and you heard and were touched by their voices as they humbly expressed from their hearts pride for their community.

What makes this town so special?  What is their secret? They learned how to think outside the box. The box that had them trapped in thinking the same old way. They changed from thinking of themselves as a place limited with nothing  (no-thing) to seeing what they already possessed and could tap into. The pride they have today was earned by breaking down barriers of the "norm" that was only supporting more of the status quo and coming into their greatness through their greatest resource --  the people.

According to Karen Kimbrel, one of the conference coordinators in a book published about Colquitt's progress, "What makes this community different from other small rural communities in the U.S. is the magic ingredient -- Creativity. Creative communities are different from traditional community and economic development models because creative communities rely on human potential, knowledge and capabilities as opposed to tangible goods and deliverable services. Also, rather than being physical place-focused, they are about human spirit......When creative projects enter the picture, people establish new and exciting networks to obtain social and economic entrees where before only walls existed preventing entrance." That is a powerful statement that comes from a new perspective of empowering people to use their own inborn gifts to create community.

So, Karen has given us the secret ingredient -- creativity.  We have people -- so we have creativity. The question becomes how can we go beyond the "norm," or have we become too comfortable or numb to the status quo?  Can we shake the box open a little and peak in to see what's possible. Karen said, "if Colquitt could do it, any town can." I'm going to hang on to that statement. What I came away with most from the conference was hope, because they helped me recognize and see what is possible. Thank you Colquitt!

NEW LOCAL CANAL HISTORY SITE LAUNCHED

Through unexpected funding from the Canal Corporation, the historical societies of Weedsport, Port Byron and Montezuma were able to have a new website designed that highlights the history of the canals in Cayuga County.  Mike Riley worked with web designer Adams Sweet of Sweet Designs to build the site. Check out the interactive map that leads to additional information and photos in each town. There are plenty of links to other resources and an events calendar in the works as well as other content that will be added.

Plans will be to build on the site to offer more material that will be especially useful to local teachers.

http://cayugacountycanalhistory.org/

DESIGN COMMITTEE MEETING INVITATION

There will be a Heritage Park Design Committee meeting on Thursday, February 24, 2011 at 7 PM at the Montezuma Town Hall. Some of the topics we will be discussing are reviewing final designs ideas presented by the SUNY ESF students, signage, planning for the Canal Sweep clean up, upcoming programs for the year. At our last meeting we decided to make the last Thursday of the month our regular monthly scheduled meeting. This is an open invitation to join our committee, whether it's for one meeting or on a regular basis.

FINAL ESF PRESENTATIONS - A LOOK AT WHAT'S POSSIBLE

Last Tuesday was another cold, blustery night we've  become accustomed to here in Central New York, but the Halls of Montezuma were warmed with brightly colored visions and ideas posted on the walls of the town hall for what might be possible in the Montezuma Heritage Park.  Representative examples originally done by over forty students of Syracuse's 3rd year landscape architectural design studio last fall were presented by four of the student designers: Lauren Christler, Megan Reymore, Sara Russo and Kyle Weissenburger assisted by  faculty members, Cheryl Doble and Maren King.

Lauren Christler's focus points to an area off of Chapman Avenue
with linkage from past to present.

Most of the designs were focused ideas that linked our community's past Erie Canal history to the present.  Using natural elements of water, plantings and organic contoured paths throughout the park, their designs showcased our history using the remains of historic sites such as the aqueduct and paper mill.  This could be created through time lines flowing from the center of our town along the canal towpath to the park along the Seneca River. Monuments, statues, and an aqueduct sculpture featured throughout the site could tell the story of how the canal was built.  Several recreational activities would provide for fishing, cross country skiing, walking, hiking, picnicking, primitive camping sites,  boat dockage, bird and wildlife observation. Opportunities were seen for Erie Canal and natural resource education using open buildings that could later be enclosed.

The remains of the Montezuma Fibre Company on the south side of

the Enlarged Erie Canal could be made into a landscaped garden or a play area for children.  The site still contains the arched doors shown in the drawing here could be incorporated into the design. 

The 60' by 80' building was  on an eleven feet high foundation. The foundation walls are still on the site. The main building  was brick, two stories high with an attached boiler house 26' by 36', costing $22,000 when it was built in 1906. 

The mill produced a heavy-weight paper product from flag (cattails), known as "Montezuma Wheat" that grew in the 20,000 acre swamp that surrounded the area. The finished product was loaded unto the canal boats for shipment.

It was noted that popular tours that have been offered including the Montezuma Wildlife Refuge, Audubon Center and Howland's Island could include this site. Much thought and consideration was given to the landscape of the parkland with boardwalks to protect the land along the flood plain areas and enhance the walking experience.  While much of the park would maintain its natural setting needing little maintenance, it was suggested the park could provide wonderful opportunities for the youth in the community to work in the park.

The students had a variety of practical, creative and innovative ideas to share while keeping with the natural elements and incorporating the Erie Canal historic resources. The design committee will consider the ideas, and begin to create a phased plan for development of the park. Anyone interested is invited to attend the planning meetings to be held on the fourth Thursday of the month at 7:00 PM at the town hall. 

The Town of Montezuma was selected to receive community technical assistance from the 2011 Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) program, and will work with Karl Beard from the National Park Service.  RTCA helps communities plan, organize partnerships and achieve on-the-ground success for projects they initiate. We are very grateful to the park service and SUNY ESF for support of our project.

Kyle Weissenburger focused on a Route 31 entrance with a nearby boat launch
marketing to New York State Fishing Clubs.

Maren King of SUNY ESF faculty member discusses student ideas with
Town Supervisor John Malenick;  Stan Longyear and Paul Baker, Design
 Committee members; Bill Hecht; and Karl Beard from the RTCA program at
the National Park Service.

Historic sites added to Parkland

Two important parcels of property have been recently acquired by the Town of Montezuma that will be included with Heritage Park project. They are significant historic sites that tell the story of the town's Erie Canal history.


Cayuga County transferred a 23-acre parcel of land west of the former Cayuga-Seneca Canal and along the south side of the former Erie Canal. The parcel is the site of the former Meil's Drydock which was first started by William Thorn and Joshua Martin in 1860.  The drydock provided a valuable service to canal business where boats were built, refurbished and repaired. The buildings in the background of the photograph above would have provided the necessary space for a  blacksmith to fashion the metal parts, bolts and nails; a saw mill to cut beams and planks, and for offices and storehouses.  Later in 1894 the business was purchased by George Meil of Veronia, NY.  Fifteen men were employed to repair boats,  build steamers and flag boats for use in the harvest of flag (cattails) in the swamps.

The other important piece of property purchased by the town is north of the present-day firehouse and at the entrance to the main trail head and former towpath of the Erie Canal. The Exchange Hotel in the photograph to the right was located here. It also had a stable to hold extra teams for the line boat compaines. Town Board meetings and elections were once held here. Built circa 1830, it burned to the ground on June 23, 1918, one of the oldest hotels in the village and on the Erie Canal.


This important site is near where the Cayuga section of the Cayuga-Seneca Canal opened in 1828 connecting with the Erie Canal. A crossover bridge allowed the mules and crews to move from the path along the Erie Canal to the Cayuga Canal. This was an important junction where boats headed either east to Albany or west to Buffalo as well as south to Cayuga and Seneca Lakes. 

Trail Blazing!

Well, maybe December is not such a good time for trail blazing, but I thought I would feature a slide show of an event last Spring.  A great group of volunteers came out to participate in the Town of Montezuma sponsored Clean Sweep program to pick up trash, trim trail hedges, chip, and mulch on the Heritage Park site. Looking ahead to 2011, plans are already underway to do it again. 

Since this is the time of year to reflect back, I've been doing some research on the history of park plans in Montezuma that goes back 45 years ago to December 1965. Not to give away my age, but that was the year I graduated from high school. David Butler was the Town Supervisor who applied for funding to acquire the parkland made possible through the  Outdoor Recreation Development Bond Act and the Land and Water Conservation Act of 1965.  Byron Lapp was elected the next supervisor who carried out the long process of completing the acquisition of parkland eventually in 1971.  

As we look forward to envisioning plans for the park this coming year, we can appreciate the many years it took to complete this work. Through Byron's perseverance, we can be thankful the land has been preserved for public use and preservation of the great historic sites it holds. 

Also, if you are starting to get the Cabin Fever Blues, Mike Riley has some great suggestions for getting out and enjoying the winter here in Cayuga County that were a part of last year's Canal Splash, Flowing the Flow: The Tale of Two Erie Canals. 

http://canalsplash.blogspot.com

Wishing you a never-ending season of joy and peace.