MAYVILLE - Continued planning for a multi-use park was unanimously approved recently by the Chautauqua Town Board following a recommendation that separate recreational areas be completed one at a time.
"Obviously this is a big nut to tackle right away," said Rodney Drake, landscape architect.
Drake used maps and sketches to show the board how the completed park might look. Drake is associated with Habiterra of Jamestown, the firm chosen by the board to help design a park on a portion of the 34-acre site behind the town offices on Academy Street, Mayville. Some of the land is set aside for the county, so the park could occupy all of part of the 26 acres still available.
A committee chaired by Jim Kurtz, town board member, gathered ideas for the park during four meetings, the first of which was held over the summer. The committee looked at existing local facilities so it wouldn't duplicate parks that are already available.
Drake also explained he and committee members examined the land to determine appropriate uses.
"It's almost like the Black Forest in some of those areas," he said.
Additionally, the acreage sloes about 145 feet down from behind the former Mayville Central School building.
Some of the initial recommendations include a picnic and play area on top of the hill with a view of Mayville and Chautauqua Lake, a fitness trail with separate stations for specific exercises, a Frisbee golf course, a winding nature and hiking trail, a community garden and, possibly, a midget football field at the base of the park with part of the sloping ground above used for seating.
Since no firm plan exists, there is no cost estimate, Drake said. The committee will explore possible grant funding for each part of the park as it is approved.
In other business, the board approved Local Law 3 of 2012, which sets dimensions for backyard children's playhouses. No one appeared at the public hearing on the law. Don Emhardt, town supervisor, voted against the measure. When asked after the meeting, Emhardt said he thinks the new local law "digs too deeply" and is unnecessary.