Monday April 29, 2024 
Investment Needed in North Greenbush Green Spaces
In the past week the Times Union published two articles about capital district suburbs investing in their parks and green spaces as a way to improve their communities. East Greenbush has put $2 million into recreational upgrades, including developing trails that will link neighborhoods and improve walkability. Meanwhile, Clifton Park has also announced it will invest $2-$3 million in a new 37 acre park.
Here in North Greenbush, it seems to be impossible to leave your house without seeing a new commercial building or housing development that’s going up. And yet what is being done to make our town an appealing place to live? Who will want to buy a $500,000 home here when they could buy the same house in a town nearby that offers better amenities. Parks are an important resource. They offer places to gather and play and build a sense of community. And with more multifamily homes being added in town they are becoming even more essential.
Two years ago I began attending meetings meant to draw support for a new dog park. The response from neighbors and residents has been largely positive, but for some reason the current leadership in town has no appetite for it or any other new park. Up until recently, North Greenbush residents could obtain a pass to use the East Greenbush dog park, but that is no longer the case. And why should East Greenbush foot the bill for out of town residents? The real issue is here in North Greenbush. As part of their negotiations with developers, the town has asked that land be set aside and yet has done nothing to develop it. Meanwhile, existing town parks like the one by Snyders Lake receive few updates. It’s time to start investing in green spaces in North Greenbush before it is too late.
Britney Yatrakis, North Greenbush
Still Don’t Change Barnes
Most of us who live on or near Barnes Road have been actively opposing the Town of Sand Lake from approving a Party Barn on the road. The Town ignored almost unanimous opposition, and approved it.
We fought it in court and won. Despite this, the town went ahead and approved money to appeal the decision. We have to wonder why the people we elected are taking the side of one person against almost everyone else in the area. Especially since the court said the approval was arbitrary and that the town didn’t show it was compatible with the nature of the rural agricultural community surrounding it.
Why would the Town do this?
Rodger Sutton, West Sand Lake
Again! Don’t Change Barnes
We, the vast majority of residents on Barnes Road and our surrounding neighbors on connecting roads continue to oppose a special use permit for a party venue on our street. I do not understand how our town planning board and government work, however it seems only common sense that if a majority of residents in the area and the Supreme Court have decided against this, it should stop! Why has the town board allocated additional tax payer dollars to now try to reverse this decision. Our Barnes Road Neighborhood Association has over 70 members opposed. Only the applicant is interested as he stated for something to do in retirement. We will continue to fight against any change to the court’s decision against something that is not zoned for or consistent with our neighborhood.
June Groat, West Sand Lake