This account and photographs are from the recently published book, “Our West Side Story, the West Barrier Bar Park” compiled by Pat Cooper Maxon and Susan Peterson Gateley. All profits from the book go to the West Barrier Park. It is available at Fair Haven Gift Shop.
West Barrier Bar: “Eyesore” to “Dynamic Guardian” of the Bay
(Part V – after ownership is settled as reported in previous columns, part as marina, part as public park)
-by Jeff Baker
Person at Bar looking out to lake is Pat Cooper Maxon
Things went well at first. The entire personality of the area changed. Cedar posts were driven to mark the parking and picnic areas, tables appeared, a launch ramp was begun, and a “restroom” was built near the pier. But, when after two years state money stopped flowing, Cayuga County lost interest and adopted the attitude held by the village and town boards six years earlier; the park was an expensive liability. The “restroom” was the first to suffer. This type of facility, an outhouse really, designed for use by ecologically minded hikers on wilderness trails, was unable to withstand the onslaught of beach goers it attracted. When it became the target of abuse, it was locked up. Soon the cedar posts and picnic tables became firewood for beach parties; roadways deteriorated, garbage began to pile up and once again rowdies established conclaves near the pier where they could menace both boaters and beach goers. In spite of the efforts of concerned citizens like Bonnie Bridson, various civic and church groups as well as Butler prison crews to keep the litter under control, the deterioration proved unstoppable.
In a 1997 AUBURN CITIZEN article, Charlie Itzin called the park “an eyesore — known more for its drinking parties, broken glass, and dirty diapers than peaceful, scenic Ontario views.” He called it “the forgotten orphan of the county park system,” and quoted fellow Fair Haven resident Sam Colvin, “It’s still not a safe place to go, especially for women”. Dave Holdridge was no longer in office as legislator and ultimately, the county decided that concrete block barriers and a chain across the entrance would minimize the problems. The park remained in limbo until 2004 when a developer approached the county with an offer to purchase the parcel. County officials were considering the proposal when grass roots West Barrier Bar Tenders sprang up to lead opposition against it. The sale fizzled but community interest did not.
Walkers on east channel wall
Prompted by public sentiment , the Village of Fair Haven and Town of Sterling boards took another look at the park concept and decided that a cooperative approach offered the best chance for a successful stewardship. They joined forces in an effort to promote and finance park development; it is anticipated that if the joint effort yields positive results, joint ownership is a possibility. The appointment of Pat Cooper to the newly created position of steward in ‘07 was a giant step forward.
She feels a real affinity for the land she patrols and the wildlife it attracts. Pat sees the West Side as a special place as do Dave Holdridge, Bonnie Bridson, Sam Colvin and Charlie Itzin along with countless others, looking back through the generations to the first residents of Sterling and Little Sodus in the early 1800s. The importance of West Barrier Bar as the bay’s dynamic guardian cannot be overstated just as the property’s potential to be a source of community pride cannot be denied. Here’s hoping community leaders are willing to meet the challenges involved in turning potential of the future into reality.
Note from “Out West Side Story”: “We are currently in the 3rd year of a 5 year agreement between Cayuga County and Town of Sterling and Village of Fair Haven. At the end of the 5 years the park will be jointly owned by the Village of Fair Haven and the Town of Sterling. Hopefully local control will bring stability to the park management. At this time there is a West Barrier Bar Park committee trying to navigate these uncharted waters of acquiring and managing a park. The committee’s focus is to continue management of the park as a more family friendly state than it has been in the not too distant past while maintaining its natural “feel”".
