Public comments for Thacher Park, Thompson's Lake

thacher park indian ladder trail lowerThe state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is looking for public comment as it develops a new master plan John Boyd Thacher and Thompson's Lake State Parks:

Park master plans are used by the agency to analyze and improve park facilities and provide park patrons with a satisfying experience of the park's recreation and natural resources. The plan will review the current conditions at the park and make recommendations for improvement to existing facilities as well as new facilities to meet patron needs.

There's an open house at the Emma Treadwell Thacher Nature Center on Saturday, April 28 from 9 am - 5 pm -- park and agency staff will be there to discuss park issues and gather public input.

When Thacher Park was closed temporarily a few years ago because of cuts, there was a huge outpouring of public support for the park.

Hey, maybe this it the chance to push for getting the old pool there (of which many people apparently have fond memories) fixed re-built and re-opened.

(Thanks, Mary Beth!)

Earlier on AOA:
+ Thacher Park's namesake
+ The mystery at Hang Glider Cliff
+ Camping at Thompson's Lake State Park
+ Hiking the Indian Ladder Trail

photo: Kathie Dello

Comments

"...getting the old pool fixed and re-opened."

You haven't been there in a while.

@Eric: You're right, fixed isn't the right word -- rebuilt.

By the way: I found this old postcard of the pool that Carl posted on Flickr.

How long has the pool been closed? Its only been a few years, right?

The pool closed in 2006. The state received a federal grant to re-build the pool and the bathhouses.. not sure what ever happened there. I'd love to see it re-open.

The pool will never be re-opened. It is not really even a pool anymore, just a vast wasteland of dirt. I have some fond memories of that pool when I was a young child. It seemed enormous and wonderful. But on a brighter note, the park has wonderful trails and look outs. They have done a great job keeping the trails in good shape.

I think the pool would be too expensive to rebuild and maintain. I would rather have them do any or all of these: acquire more land, improve Thompson Lake Park facilities, add more programs to the Emma Treadwell Nature Center, new picnic tables and fire grills...but most of all, please never close this park ever again!

There's a push currently to allow recreational rock and ice climbing on the parts of the escarpment not occupied by the Indian Ladder trail. I think it's a great idea that would add a ton of value to the area and be a revenue driver if a reasonable permit system were put in place. The Shawagunks just south of us, though admittedly better for climbing, are a huge draw for climbers who, along with hikers, fund a large private preserve. These sort of (slightly) outside the box ideas I think are what's needed to keep our public recreational areas going.

I have just been there 3 weeks ago and love the park. I remember a lot of great things from there as a child and wish that a pool was there again. I agree that the old pool is in shambles but with money anything can be fixed. I certainly would be willing to help out with fundraisers.

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