Press Release

For Immediate Release

For More Information Contact: Varick Chittenden, President

The Grasse River Heritage Area Development Corporation has received notification that a grant request submitted to the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation in August 2001 had been selected for funding. Governor George E. Pataki announced the $195,755 grant on a swing through the North Country late last week. Varick Chittenden, President of the Grasse River Heritage Area Development Corporation, explained that the Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation grant funds will be used to develop a waterfront recreation and local heritage area on Falls Island in downtown Canton. The concept for the new park on Falls Island grew out of Canton Community Action Plan working sessions. The idea was eventually included in the Town and Village of Canton’s Forging Our Futures plan for the economic revitalization of the community.

According to Mr. Chittenden, "the state grant funds that have been awarded must be matched on a dollar for dollar basis by local cash or in-kind matching contributions.’ ‘In this instance, the Grasse River Heritage Area Development Corporation received a major boost with the donation of Coakley Island by St. Lawrence University and Falls Island by local residents Peter and Becky Van de Water," he said. "These major gifts were a great complement to pledges for in-kind services made by the Town and Village of Canton, and cash contributions made by area residents."

State grant funds and local matching funds will be used to develop Falls Island as a local waterfront and heritage park that will be open to the public. "Our plan is to begin with the restoration of the historic King’s iron bowstring bridge that connects Falls and Coakley Islands,’ said Mr. Chittenden. ‘The iron bridge was constructed in the 1870’s, and is one of only five of such bridges left in New York State. Our intention is to refit the bridge for pedestrian traffic," he said. According to Linda Casserly, the Town of Canton’s historian, Falls Island was the industrial center of the Village during the 19^th century, and is classified by the state as registered New York State Industrial Archeology Site. "We have documented the ruins of 9 early mills and factories on Falls Island, that may be a unique window into Canton’s past as an important local center for manufacturing,’ Ms. Casserly said. ‘As one of its activities, the Grasse River Heritage Area Development Corporation will engage the services of a professional archeologist to help excavate the ruins, and assist in the development of an interpretive trail around the ruins." Mr. Chittenden added that a walking trail would be developed to the many scenic sites on the island, such as Rushton Falls, and a canoe carry trail providing a safe and convenient way to get around the rapids and waterfalls adjacent to the Island.

Mr. Chittenden noted that Grasse River corporation also received substantial support from the Town and Village of Canton’s economic developer, and St. Lawrence University to hire the St. Lawrence County Housing Council to prepare their application for park program funding. Village Mayor Robert Wells remarked that "the Falls Island Park Project is a perfect example of how the town and village government in partnership with Canton’s universities and local not-for-profit organizations can jointly develop important revitalization efforts." Town Supervisor David Button remarked: "we’re delighted with Grasse River’s success, and were pleased to be able to provide them with a relatively small amount of financial assistance to leverage substantial private donations and state grant funds."

"I am thrilled at the news of this grant to help us start the first phase of our dream project,’ Mr. Chittenden stated. "We know that this is only a start, but a great one, nonetheless. We will have to raise much more money to make our whole project complete. Some will likely come from other state and federal funds, but we will also have to turn to our own community for financial support as well," he added. "We hope that, with these funds for a beginning, our development of Falls Island and restoration of the historic bridge will become the first step toward a great place that all of us in Canton can point to with pride."

Mr. Chittenden indicated that over the next few weeks, the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation would be working with Grasse River to develop a formal grant agreement. "In the meanwhile, Grasse River will be formalizing its redevelopment plan, to permit us to break ground as early as possible in the spring of 2003."

For more information of the Falls Island Park Project, including ways that local residents and businesses can help, please contact Mr. Chittenden at 386-4289.