Thirty-two acres of land were donated to the town of Candeadea by Houghton College for a public park to be constructed.
The deed for the land, which is located near the Field of Dreams, was signed over to the township on July 5. According to a Houghton College press release, a Memo of Understanding was also signed. This will allow Houghton College’s continued, perpetual use of the cross country course, which cuts through the donated land.
Construction for the town park is tentatively slated to begin in the summer of 2017, a year after the land was donated by the college. As of now, plans include a pavilion, a picnic area, and playground equipment.
“Houghton College is privileged to partner with others in our community to create a park that will not only enable us to enjoy the Genesee River valley more fully but also attract others to the beauty of this region,” Houghton College President, Shirley Mullen, said in the press release.
The college’s chief business officer, Dale Wright, cited the recreational potential of the space for all age groups. He also stated in the press release, “It’s also an important example of the Town and the College working together on a mutually beneficial project.”
Matt Young ‘18, father of a toddler and preschooler, and Joshua Mason ‘18, whose son was born last semester, each expressed enthusiasm over the land donation and park plans.
“I would absolutely take my son to the park if it were completed next fall,” Mason said. Young concurred, saying, “It will be a fun, safe, place to bring them that is close by.”
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I think it is a great location for a park,” Young continued. “There will still be access to the cross-country course (which provides a view of the river), and the field of dreams provides a wide-open space that is secluded enough that parents shouldn’t have to worry about vehicle traffic.”
Noting the lack of park spaces in Houghton, Mason said, “There are many young families in the community that would benefit greatly from a park so close. I know of two good parks, – one in Fillmore and one in Belfast. From what I’ve seen, neither of these parks have a picnic/pavilion area.” Travel to both parks requires a 5 to-10 minute drive.
The future park space does not only interest students and community members with young children. Naomi Prentice ‘18 said she saw the value in both a park development as well as the current, undeveloped land in the Field of Dreams.
“If the town park is near the field of dreams and not smack dab in the middle of the field of dreams I would like it,!” she said. While Prentice anticipates using the park once completed, she said she hopes the area where the Tree of Life once stood will remain undeveloped. “Cross country, soccer camps, and a few other groups use the field and it would be sad to see that space taken away for them. Also, just to have an undeveloped area to hang out, take walks, stargaze and enjoy some quiet is valuable,” she noted.
Construction plans are not available at this time for public viewing, as the Caneadea Town Park is still in its tentative planning stage.