Within two years, the Clifton Commons on Vischer Ferry Road may be dwarfed by a new Rexford Commons on Route 146 near Nott Road in the western part of the town.
The Clifton Park town board held a press conference Monday, Aug. 27, announcing the $1.4 million purchase of the 54-acre property. Combined with an adjacent property, the entire size of the new town-owned parkland is 151 acres almost twice that of the 81-acre Clifton Commons.
The town hopes to finalize a design early next year and begin construction so that the park will be operational in early 2009.
Councilman Tom Paolucci, who is one of two incumbent Republican candidates for town board this fall, said that he expected the property would be officially designated as parkland at a board meeting in September.
We know that when the town took ownership of these two parcels, the potential for residential development was pretty much abated,` Paolucci said.
`However this designation also eliminates all other public or institutional uses.`
Supervisor Phil Barrett said the purchase was part of the town’s open space plan, which was first outlined in 2003, and that all of the town’s recent open space acquisitions have been purchased with surplus funds.
`Getting this property in the hands of the taxpayers of Clifton Park, as we’ve been purchasing other properties all around town, has been a tremendous effort on behalf of many people, not just the town board,` Barrett said. `It’s been a team effort, as everything is in town.`
Todd Kerner, the chairman of the local Democratic Committee, said that Democrats have been pushing for an additional town park for the past eight years.
`Clearly it’s politically based, but we’re happy to see that they’re finally headed in the right direction,` Kerner said.
The park is being designed by C.T Male engineers and will include athletic fields as well as bike and walking paths, open space, picnic areas, and nature preserve areas.
`That’s going to be the most important factor, so that we’re applying the right amount of parking, the right amount of field space, the right type of space,` said C.T Male engineer Frank Palumbo. `The other important part of this property is that it won’t be just for athletic use, it will be for open space and recreational space as well.`
The initial concept design calls for 11 athletic fields, a pavilion area, a large playground, a recreation center and numerous walking and biking trails.
The early plans also show an entrance at the intersection of Route 146 and Nott Road. Palumbo said that a traffic light at that intersection may be necessary, but he stressed that the concept plan is still in early stages and may change before construction begins.
Peter Clinton, the president of the Clifton Park Soccer Club, said the potential for a Rexford Commons was exciting. The soccer club has experienced wide success with its annual July youth soccer tournament, which this year included 150 teams.
`Clifton Common is the most beautiful place in New York state as far as I’m concerned. I think it’s a marvelous place, but it is land locked, we can’t expand. This gives us the opportunity to grow,` Clinton said. `We need more space.`
Councilman Scott Hughes, the other incumbent Republican candidate for town board, called the new park a win-win situation for everyone. As he looked out at the undeveloped land, he imagined what it would look like when finally completed.
`I can’t wait to get my daughter out here when they get it all running,` Hughes said. `This is going to be where we spend our weekends. I love the idea of people picnicking over there, you’ve got other people riding their bikes, you’ve got soccer games going on. It’s just going to have a very cool vibe to it.`
“
