Urbana looking for volunteers for parks committee
By ROB PRICE THE COURIER-ADVOCATE

HAMMONDSPORT — Urbana town officials are looking for a little help in managing the municipality's three public parks along Keuka Lake.

Trustees are inviting town residents to join a committee charged with developing a long range plan for overseeing the properties. Interested parties are asked to send a letter to the town clerk's office at: P.O. Box 186, Hammondsport, NY 14840.

The move comes in response to a recommendation from John Jensen, president of the Hammondsport Chamber of Commerce. It follows the town's latest acquisition of lakefront property at the end of 2007, when Urbana purchased the proposed Curtiss Memorial Park from the Bath Hammondsport Railroad for $900,000.

According to deputy town supervisor Paul Martuscello, the town has a pressing need for some hands-on park management.

"We have issues with the parks because so many people use them," he said. That includes boaters using the public facilities. "People bring their boats in and use the toilets," Martuscello said. "The toilets get plugged up. There are just issues with people using the facilities."

The town's lakeshore holdings include the Depot Park and a portion of Champlin Beach, in addition to the newly acquired property. Martuscello noted volunteers have been clearing brush from the latter lot and the municipality will apply for grants to develop the beachfront.