Officials devise plan to lure campers to Cook Park
GREENE – Although Cook Park in Greene may be far from turning a profit, some Chenango County officials are taking steps they say could help stop the financial bleeding.
Park administrators are working closely with members of the county’s committee on agriculture, building and grounds to map out a preliminary five-year fiscal plan for Cook Park that will ease the burden on county taxpayers. The idea is to make small changes in the first year that will provide funds for bigger changes further down the road.
According to Smithville Supervisor Fred Heisler, the proposal is loosely based on “fuzzy math” but could ultimately lead to a more viable park.
“This is a moving parts budget,” Heisler told committee members during May’s monthly meeting. “What we are proposing is to find new ways of revenue and that you let us prove revenue each year before giving us any additional funding.”
Heisler said instead of investing in park improvements off the bat, it’s better that small steps be taken each year that earn a little more revenue. If changes can shorten the gap between expenses and revenue, then he said the park could become eligible for a larger budget the following year.
“We feel like we would have to earn additional funding,” he added. “Somewhere along the way, this committee will have to have some more input, and it will always be able to say ‘no.”
The new proposal starts small, calling for a $1 increase in the daily use and camping fees in the first year, and a $2 increase in electric use. Park employees could also sell pre-packaged ice cream using a freezer donated to the park. Projections indicate this could generate $2,560 in additional revenue.
Pending financial gains from the first year, the second year would incorporate new water hookups for camp sites and the seasonal use fee would increase from $800 to $850. The third year would bring improvements to the park’s playground and roadways, another $100 increase in seasonal rates, and the addition of pull-thru sites. By the fourth year, hopes are to construct four rental cabins with a $20 per night charge and also conduct an engineering project that would allow swimming at the lake. Year five would see additional improvements to the playground, the well, and the campground bathhouse.
“The idea is that people are willing to pay a little more if they can get a little more in return,” said Heisler.
While Cook Park has always been a bit of a financial burden, Park Manager Doug Croley said this new plan may be what it needs to attract new campers.
“It's a good attempt to make some forward progress for the park,” he said. “It’s exciting to see the committee take new initiative.”
Croley has been integrating new ideas over the years to better the park in the most affordable way possible. Last year, a new kids’ program was added to draw people in for day use, and a partnerships with local organizations such as the Headwaters Youth Conservation Corps, Cornell Cooperative Extension and DCMO BOCES have led to multiple building projects and upgrades. Most recently, students in BOCES environmental conservation program constructed a new lean-to using materials bought by the county.
Croley said that while the latest plan for Cook Park might seem ambitious, he is using other areas including nearby Bowman Lake State Park in McDonough as a model to make the plan a reality. “I would really like to see a new roadway that has 6-8 cabins and see those cabins be a moneymaker,” he said. “I think that’s a realistic option for us. I can see that working.”
This isn’t the first attempt of county officials to make improvements to Cook Park. According to Julie Gates, Chenango County Director of Public Facilities, a 10-year plan was accepted in 1996 and regular updates for the park are provided to the ag, buildings and grounds committee on a monthly basis.
“We looked at that old plan and what we wanted to do was make the park more usable. We wanted to try the things we can do without asking for lot of money,” said Gates. “I’m optimistic about this new plan ... The biggest problem we have is that so many people don’t even know that Cook Park is there. It’s nice that others are showing a little more interest in it and want to see it do well.”
Cook Park was gifted to Chenango County in 1957. It offers day passes as well as seasonal and nightly camp sites. Additional information can be found on the Chenango County website or on Facebook at facebook.com/cook.park.9.
Park administrators are working closely with members of the county’s committee on agriculture, building and grounds to map out a preliminary five-year fiscal plan for Cook Park that will ease the burden on county taxpayers. The idea is to make small changes in the first year that will provide funds for bigger changes further down the road.
According to Smithville Supervisor Fred Heisler, the proposal is loosely based on “fuzzy math” but could ultimately lead to a more viable park.
“This is a moving parts budget,” Heisler told committee members during May’s monthly meeting. “What we are proposing is to find new ways of revenue and that you let us prove revenue each year before giving us any additional funding.”
Heisler said instead of investing in park improvements off the bat, it’s better that small steps be taken each year that earn a little more revenue. If changes can shorten the gap between expenses and revenue, then he said the park could become eligible for a larger budget the following year.
“We feel like we would have to earn additional funding,” he added. “Somewhere along the way, this committee will have to have some more input, and it will always be able to say ‘no.”
The new proposal starts small, calling for a $1 increase in the daily use and camping fees in the first year, and a $2 increase in electric use. Park employees could also sell pre-packaged ice cream using a freezer donated to the park. Projections indicate this could generate $2,560 in additional revenue.
Pending financial gains from the first year, the second year would incorporate new water hookups for camp sites and the seasonal use fee would increase from $800 to $850. The third year would bring improvements to the park’s playground and roadways, another $100 increase in seasonal rates, and the addition of pull-thru sites. By the fourth year, hopes are to construct four rental cabins with a $20 per night charge and also conduct an engineering project that would allow swimming at the lake. Year five would see additional improvements to the playground, the well, and the campground bathhouse.
“The idea is that people are willing to pay a little more if they can get a little more in return,” said Heisler.
While Cook Park has always been a bit of a financial burden, Park Manager Doug Croley said this new plan may be what it needs to attract new campers.
“It's a good attempt to make some forward progress for the park,” he said. “It’s exciting to see the committee take new initiative.”
Croley has been integrating new ideas over the years to better the park in the most affordable way possible. Last year, a new kids’ program was added to draw people in for day use, and a partnerships with local organizations such as the Headwaters Youth Conservation Corps, Cornell Cooperative Extension and DCMO BOCES have led to multiple building projects and upgrades. Most recently, students in BOCES environmental conservation program constructed a new lean-to using materials bought by the county.
Croley said that while the latest plan for Cook Park might seem ambitious, he is using other areas including nearby Bowman Lake State Park in McDonough as a model to make the plan a reality. “I would really like to see a new roadway that has 6-8 cabins and see those cabins be a moneymaker,” he said. “I think that’s a realistic option for us. I can see that working.”
This isn’t the first attempt of county officials to make improvements to Cook Park. According to Julie Gates, Chenango County Director of Public Facilities, a 10-year plan was accepted in 1996 and regular updates for the park are provided to the ag, buildings and grounds committee on a monthly basis.
“We looked at that old plan and what we wanted to do was make the park more usable. We wanted to try the things we can do without asking for lot of money,” said Gates. “I’m optimistic about this new plan ... The biggest problem we have is that so many people don’t even know that Cook Park is there. It’s nice that others are showing a little more interest in it and want to see it do well.”
Cook Park was gifted to Chenango County in 1957. It offers day passes as well as seasonal and nightly camp sites. Additional information can be found on the Chenango County website or on Facebook at facebook.com/cook.park.9.
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