Personal overview of key recreational and tourism resources in the village Cleveland
- Roy Reehil, Mayor from Feb. 1995 to June 2002

Village Contact Number: 315-675-8611

Proposed Park Drawing | Recreational and tourism resources map
Recreational and tourism resources map
Recreational and tourism resources in the village Cleveland - Narrative
Pond Dredging Grant Application

As I see them, the key recreational and tourism resources in the village are denoted on appendix A, items A-G

My vision centers around the development of these individual resources with the larger goal of creating publicly denoted connections - signs - from each of them to each other and to and from the commercial establishments in Cleveland.

Recreation and Tourist Traffic.

The Erie Canal, the Snowmobile trail and Recreation way on the former O&W Railroad bed and Rt. 49 all generate an East to West Flow of traffic. We need to create periodic stops and more North to South Flow. That is already occurring during winter with a good flow of snowmobile traffic to and from the trail to Vella's, the Legion and the lake. Ultimately, more destinations -- commercial, cultural and municipal -- will be of benefit to both visitors and residents, and will increase the North - South flow of traffic and tourism.

Recreational and Tourism Resources (appendix A diagram)

A) State Owned Canal Terminal and Dock

Our historic connection to the Erie Canal and likely the key factor in the founding of a community here.

The fundamental component in our ability to grow any substantive future tourist trade.

The current owners of the former Apps Landing Marina have expressed an interest in selling the property. We must therefore look at that as an opportunity to seek a viable commercial partner to develop the terminal to it's highest and best use - which in my opinion is a combination of public and private ownership consisting of

1) Private, for-profit establishments: marina, bait shop, restaurant, overnight accommodations, guiding and ice fishing shanty rental

2) Publicly owned and maintained: Bath house, parking area, boat pump out station, fishing pier and floating dock

The village has recently completed a new sidewalk which connects the dock area to "downtown."

A EPF Bond Act Grant was awarded for improvements to the dock (as outlined in the grant proposal) in the amount of $150,000 in 2001 ($150,000 short of the requested amount) but after 9/11 momentum died, and the Canal Corp. reneged on its portion of the in-kind services they would render. I hope it will be possible to re-kindle or restore this funding based on a new Waterfront Revitalization Plan

B) Village Hall and Memorial Park

The undeveloped lakefront here provides one of the few public "rest areas" to stop and have a look at the lake. In winter it is used as a parking area to access the lake with snowmobiles. In summer it is underutilized and could provide more access to the lake for residents with a more park-like development.

C) Oswego County Maintained Recreationway Trail

Runs the length of the lake. Maintained and extremely popular snowmobile trail in winter. The establishment of a legally designated and signed (directions, speed, etc.) route from the lake to the trail with signage for other destinations would help both direct and control increasing snowmobile traffic.

D) Black Creek Corridor Park and Fishing Access

Black Creek is a little known but highly productive Trout stream with spawning populations of Brown, Rainbow and Brook Trout as well as providing spawning areas near Oneida Lake for native Walleyed Pike and a variety of other fishes and minnows. An aging dam creates the historic Mill Pond that was created as an early power source for Cleveland's first businesses in the early 1800's.

This plan connects the proposed lake front park at the canal terminal to the Northshore railroad recreationway through a series of trails. It also reclaims, restores and preserves an historic and environmentally sensitive area for future generations to enjoy.

Reclamation of this site could include Brownfield reclamation (former gas station site), Dam reconstruction, Habitat restoration and protection, Enhanced fishing access. A previous grant application for pond dredging is included in this package. The last time I spoke with the heirs to this property they said the property had been donated to the Village in the will of the deceased owner and the property includes the dam. There is a possibility of someday producing electricity with a new dam there as was done in the past.

E) Greeway/Village right of way with sidewalk maintained by the village. Ownership unknown to me - it may be part of the previously mentioned property.

F) St. James Church

On the National historic register recently acquired by the newly incorporated Cleveland Historical Society. Possible location of a Cleveland/Northshore/Canal history museum. Located on the proposed trail connecting the RR Recreationway to the Lake.

G) Location of Glass factory ruins

Privately owned. Undeveloped, overgrown. Backs up to the back side of the pond. Excellent bird and wildlife habitat, including Herons - Great Blue, Green and White, variety of ducks, Canada Geese, Hawks, Owls and Eagles have been seen visiting. If acquired could become a park with nature trails and a great location for a glass museum or functional demonstration glassworks and other traditional art and crafts demonstrations.

Proposed Park Drawing | Recreational and tourism resources map
Recreational and tourism resources map
Recreational and tourism resources in the village Cleveland - Narrative
Pond Dredging Grant Application


Copyright Roy Reehil