Best Ownership of Well Field Area

The objective is to have an entity that can provide long-term responsible stewardship for the environment and the surrounding residential areas. The best options are the Town of Webster, Monroe County or a Land Trust.

The Town of Webster has acquired hundreds of acres of green space over the last decade. The Town owns the Sandbar Park north of the well field area at the end of Bay Road. The Town has an extensive system of parks and green spaces, many for passive recreation such as the Whiting Road Nature Preserve. The Town Parks and Recreation Department has experience in maintaining these areas. In addition, the Town has an active Parks and Recreation Committee composed of interested Town residents to help guide enhancement of local green spaces.

Monroe County also has an active Parks Committee and maintains an extensive system of parks and green space. Devil’s Cove, a County park, is located south of the Well Field area. It is a passive recreation area presently accessible only from the water. The Monroe County Parks system is familiar with all types of Parks and Recreation areas.

A model for private ownership of the Well Field area is the Nature Conservancy’s purchase and maintenance of the Thousand Acre Swamp in Penfield. The Nature Conservancy’s stewardship of this property has provided for passive recreational greenspace.