The village's Friends of the Parks committee recently submitted a strategic plan proposal to the parks board regarding a needs assessment survey and capital improvement master plan.

The Friends of the Parks were brought into existence approximately 17 years ago to raise money for parks in the area, said Lee Malone, Parks Board Chairman.

"The job of the friends is to raise money to go towards park improvements that otherwise the village is not ready to do," said Donna Mackie, former chairman of the Friends of Parks and a current member.

The committee focuses on the five village-owned parks, Fairy Springs, Three Mile Point, Lake Front, Pioneer Park, and the Village Gardens, said Brad Feik, current chairman of the Friends of Parks.

In previous years, the friends had written grants that were used to make renovations at Three Mile Point and have also made improvements to the Lakefront such as a bandstand and a new sea wall, said Mackie.

Feik stated that two methods were proposed in order to complete a needs assessment and capital improvement master plan.

An independent company specializing in Parks and recreation planning and design could be hired or facilitation services from an educational institution who has a program with landscaping or architectural design, such as Cornell University is also an option.

Feik added that a meeting with representatives from Cornell University and the Friends of Parks will convene in the next week or two to decide on a possible future project together.

A needs assessment will be conducted to determine priorities for the committee's master plan, which will include possibly surveying the community as well as working with the parks board and trustee members, said Feik.

He emphasized the importance of collaboration among the parks board, friends and trustees so that everyone "would be on the same page."

The village has a certain amount of money that can be raised by taxes and revenues that can go towards the parks, said Mackie. However, at this point, "the village has a lot on their plate," she added.

Fairy Springs was the next logical place to make renovations, said Mackie. She described that last year they made improvements such as building a new roof on the caretakers cottage and structural work on the pavilions.

The Friends of the Parks are now looking at possibly building a retaining wall, improving drainage and getting the park hooked up to the village sewer system, said Mackie.

Their goal is to work hand in hand with the Parks Board and Trustees, she added.