Harvester Park and Welcome Center (2006 Public Works)

Village of Brockport
County: Monroe County
Population: 5,000 to 10,000
Village Hall: (585) 637-5300

Harvester Park was a simple and narrow park with steep grades and a wooden stairway that had fallen into disrepair. In addition, the canal wall in the park area provided only limited boat moorings and was very deteriorated. The Village of Brockport desired to improve the park area and turn it into an asset for the community by blending modern conveniences and amenities with the natural and historic beauty of the Canal.

The program called for an integration of uses. The Park and Welcome Center needed to accommodate the village residents and businesses as well as the increased tourist trade coming by way of land and water. The Project Team also was faced with blending the historic canal heritage and features into a usable building and park setting for residents and visitors. The business community had concerns about losing their already limited parking. With a change in grade of the site, a unique design was necessary to accommodate both parking and handicap accessibility to and from both canal and street levels.

Economic benefits have been enhanced with the Harvester Park and Welcome Center by attracting people to the area and advertising community resources. The Village of Brockport has created a destination for boaters and residents, and the local merchants have benefited by the increased foot traffic generated as a result of this project. The Harvester Park and Welcome Center have renewed interest in the canal as a recreation resource and has enhanced public access.

Many other municipalities located along the Erie Canal share the same challenges and assets as the Village of Brockport. This project serves as an excellent example of a community that identified the need for creating an inviting destination for both pedestrian and boater traffic, seeking input from all stakeholders, and creating a plan for implementation of the project over a several year period. The Village of Brockport's Harvester Park is located along the south side of the Erie Canal, between the Main Street Bridge and Park Avenue Bridge, immediately behind the historic downtown section of Main Street.

The project required an enormous amount of coordination with the Village of Brockport Village Board and DPW, various village committees, residents, property owners, business owners, the NYS Canal Corporation, and the NYS Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP). Construction for the overall project was completed by the Village of Brockport DPW and eight contractors and subcontractors. The village DPW completed the majority of park work and the site work for the Welcome Center, saving hundreds of thousands of dollars in construction costs, while maintaining the desired character of the project.

The Village of Brockport met with the stakeholders several times to seek input and incorporate their needs, desires and suggestions. The village received grant money from several sources, including the NYS Canal Corporation, NYS ORPHP, New York State Assemblyman William Reilich, NYS Senator George Maziarz, and Wal-Mart Corporation. The Village of Brockport funded the remainder of the project with local funds. In addition, a landscaping donation program was established and was installed by volunteers within the community. The Welcome Center is staffed during the boating season with local volunteer ambassadors.

The Harvester Park and Welcome Center have become a gateway and focal point for the community. They have enhanced the downtown image by reinforcing the village's historic and agricultural character. The local businesses have benefited from increased foot traffic from visitors, local residents, and boaters. The Harvester Park and Welcome Center has renewed excitement for the local businesses and residents, and has created a "destination" for locals and visitors alike.