Thanks to the 600 plus area residents as well as another 200 tourists who signed petitions we succeeded in saving the West Barrier Bar Park from being exploited by a private developer. Now it appears that the Village of Fair Haven and the Town of Sterling will work together to take charge of this little community jewel which the county has so long ignored and neglected. This is wonderful news, for who better to be responsible for care and maintenance than the people who live here and use it.( And the Boathouse Marina has a new name and a new owner who is interested in operating a marina, not building condos- very good news for local boaters).

Out of that threat last year a handful of people formed the “Friends of the West Barrier Bar Park” (affectionately known as “the Bar Tenders”) to advocate for and work toward the future betterment of the WBBP. We expect to work closely with the Town and The Village as well as with environmental groups, Bay Betterment Audubon Soc, Sierra Club etc to promote the best uses for this environmentally fragile strip of shoreline.

Present projects include some educational events, a canoeing and kayak event, some fund raising, grant applications, bird friendly plantings, picking up trash and whatever else needs to be done by people who care about their community. We are actively recruiting members who would like to be involved in the formation and future of the new family friendly free clean, and safe community owned West Barrier Bar Park. You helped save it, can you find a little time to help keep it that way?

Please contact Bonnie at 315 947 5588 to become a Friend or e mail susan@silverwaters.com and thank you!