Clock Park in Au Sable Forks to receive facelift

AU SABLE FORKS | Earlier this month, the Town of Black Brook was awarded a $125,000 grant through DASNY (Dormitory Authority of the State of New York) to revitalize the Clock Park. "The Town of Black Brook Clock Park was originally developed around 2003-04 with leadership from Brian Deyoe and dedicated community committee members. Since then, it has become the heart of Au Sable Forks," said Town of Black Brook Supervisor Jon Douglass about the community space that sits on the four-way intersection in the hamlet and overlooks the Ausable River. "This funding will help us expand and enhance the park so it can continue to serve the community for years to come." The plan includes restoring and improving the existing clock and its surrounding foundation; upgrading the park surface with new stamped concrete and walkways; and adding new features, such as decorative lighting, benches, a flagpole, and updated landscaping. By using the vacant property next door that the town purchased and cleared a couple of years ago, the park will expand to create more open lawn space. "These improvements will help make the park more accessible, safer, and inviting for everyone," Douglass said. "Overall, it's about building on what started years ago and continuing to invest in a space that brings the community together." Thanks to a generous donation of the Clock Park property by Tommy Cross several years ago, this community space has since served as a focal point for town events, including Christmas in the Forks and the Labor Day celebration. The Clock Park has become such a crucial part of the town that officials are planning to plant a permanent tree where a donated tree usually stands for the Christmas in the Forks celebration. A preliminary design was completed by the Architectural & Engineering Design Associations, P.C. of Plattsburgh. The town is currently working with the engineering firm to finalize the design. Besides that, all that's left is to wait for the grant funding to come in, and then the town plans to start construction, which Douglass anticipates will happen sometime next year. Town officials are hopeful that the grant funding, along with in-kind services, will be sufficient to cover the full cost of the project. Updating the Clock Park is only one of several efforts underway to help revitalize the hamlet of Au Sable Forks, not just by the Town of Black Brook, but also by the Town of Jay. "We are the northern gateway into the Adirondacks. It's where the Town of Jay starts; it's where Essex County starts; and people drive through it to get to Lake Placid," said Town of Jay Supervisor Matt Stanley in a previous interview. "We've got to encourage growth if we want to be able to boost tourism and lower taxes." To learn more about the Town of Black Brook's efforts to revitalize the hamlet, officials are hosting a public hearing on April 26 at 6 p.m. at the town hall for a public review of the proposed plan. For more information or updates, visit blackbrookny.gov. To learn more about the Town of Jay's efforts to revitalize the hamlet, check out The Sun's latest coverage online, as well as the town's website: townofjayny.gov.

Signup for our newsletter

Clock Park in Au Sable Forks to receive facelift

COMPANY

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

SUBMISSION FORMS

BEYOND THE NEWS