Watch Hill Drama

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Robski97

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So for those paying attention, there is a major renovation in the works for next year at watch hill. People are very excited. What people don't know is the place will be restored at millions of dollars to its original 1960s foot print. No plans to update slip sizes for the newer beamier boots. No plans to install water or electric on the day slips . Just EVERYTHING NEW AS WAS 1960.

Who in their right mind other thenan out of touch GOVERMENT agency would spend millions of tax payer dollars on a once in a life time improvement and make no essential improvements to address needs of the people that actually use the facility. It truly blows my mind. Newsday wrote an article on it . The NPS blatantly lied. Friends of watch hill refuses to enter the fury as to not upset the apple cart which is another issue I have . Its just really sad. An opportunity like this will never happen and its being wasted. One would think people would be passionate about making the park a fantastic go to location instead of 1960s era wasteland.
IDK JUST THOUGHTS

Rob
 
Rob, heard you were quoted in Newsday article about this, do you have a copy of the article
 
Rob,
I think the only new thing is the Trans-Gender restrooms. LOL
 
As with all NY Rising projects, they only pay to "replace in kind". Fix/replace what was there before.
 
Wonder if they get hot water Walt ?

Ill copy and paste the link. It was an ok article . I'm sure the writer had to tone it down for the editor ... Would have been nice to see the full quotes.

Rob
 
It would seem the locals on the island don't want to encourage traffic. Hence, this is what you get.
 
quote:
Originally posted by HIGHLIFEII

As with all NY Rising projects, they only pay to "replace in kind". Fix/replace what was there before.

Click to expand...


Andy,
Totally get that and understand why. But, If they are dredging the slips, I assume poles will be pulled then put back in. So, if that is the case, what difference does it make if they put the poles back but wider across? I am thinking to pull a pole and put it back requires no additional labor based on how far apart they are? Now as far as moving cleats around, that is cheap and should be done by the concessionaire, or FOWH.

Electric in the day slips, sure I do get that would be additional and not part of the funding. But two things with that. First, if new electric feeds are going to be ran, and x gauge wire is needed for existing slips, why not run y gauge wire and FOWH or the concessionaire just pay for the difference of the actual cost of the wire? By running the y gauge wire, if they ever get approval for electric in the day slips, the infrastructure would be there.
Second, if the power stations are being replaced (at about $1800rb2@gr5t plus labor) making the slips wider would reduce the amount needed.

The point is, they can rebuild better than before and not have a 1960 footprint. They can also do such with a minimal amount of money that either comes from the concessionaire or FOWH. Now is the time to do this, doing it later will cost way to much money and hence, never happen.

Just my 2C
 
quote:
Originally posted by boatbum

It would seem the locals on the island don't want to encourage traffic. Hence, this is what you get.

Click to expand...


Dan,
There are no "real locals" at this place. Locals are west (Davis Park), not sure there is anything east of Watch Hill for many many miles. Also, keep in mind, making the slips wider would reduce the overall count on slips.
 
I hear you but I wonder if there is influence that wants to keep the island under developed. They have those strings pulled down here on Sanibel for example. Fort Myers Beach is a mess for all of the towers and condos. Other surrounding areas to the North are learning from that.
 
I heard FOWH offered to pay for electric in the day slips. The National Park Service said No.
The board of FOWH have said, That if the NPS had there way they would close the place so it
could return to it's natural state.
The NPS seems to think they own it. They forget "we the people" own it.
 
NPS ABSOLUTLEY RATHER THE MARINA GO AWAY ! That's no secret.

Highlife brought up a great point the NPS is using about sandy money to replace- repair like/kind. BUT there is more then just sandy money and as Walter clearly stated there is no cost increase. Just need someone with balls to take a stand and call out the NPS park supervisor . Its absurd and soooo narrow minded. U clearly must evole to the way the marina is used. For gods sake they ran electric to the camp grounds to charge campers cell phones. And like has been said enlarging the slips doesn't alienate anyone. Small boats can fit in a larger slip....

I can go on and on. The carbon foot print bull****. the windsocks , solar panels ... N O NO NO all the NPS says is no. BUT LOOK ACROSS the bay at their gorgeous facility..... Total double standard .

Would have been nice for FOWH to go outside their comfort zone for once .

Rob
 
As a group, I like "park services" whether state, federal, volunteer or paid. But sometimes they get narrow or high handed. I think "restore" and "keep natural" are code for "do as little as possible" aka lazy.

Can you get elected politicians involved? Any of them you know sympathetic to boating? I say that because the "friends" groups don't often have much leverage in decision making.
 
probably demand that you only come if you have a wood boat.
 
The NPS doesnt want any marinas. Look at Barret Beach. Once a thriving marina. For reasons I dont know, Islip turned it over to the feds. The next year the marina was gone. Salami tactics. One little slice at a time.
 
There are politicians involved due to some continuous pressure from a die hard Watch Hill visitor and FOWH member. Unfortunately when the politicians reached out to FOWH for comment, FOWH declined to comment as to not stir the pot. One would think a once in a life time renovation would take precedence and maybe push one outside their comfort zone to stand up for a good cause. I guess I'm wrong. I fully understand FOWH position BUT given the circumstances and the opportunity to call out complete misinformation by the Park services higher ups.. ID like to have seen alittle SPINE ! Just alittle. Its sad , a place we have enjoyed since we were kids may some day no longer exist for our kids.

Rob
 
FOWH should get in the game, because if my theory holds true that Watch Hill will close and not re-open, there will be no FOWH!
I have never seen a government run project come in under budget and on schedule.
My predicition is they will run out of money, corruption will be involved with hands in pockets and watch hill is done, just like Barrett beach.
I would love to know what the payback is to the US government. I mean national parks cost money to run and build. Do they expect to make money or is it done for the love of the taxpayer? If the later then I am wrong. But something tells me there is guy with a sliderule somewhere looking at the visitor count, boat count and cost and saying this place ain't worth the effort!!
 
quote:
Originally posted by CurrentSea

...But something tells me there is guy with a sliderule somewhere looking at the visitor count, boat count and cost and saying this place ain't worth the effort!!

Click to expand...


You can bet your hindside that slide rule guy exists. Gov't run parks and marinas at any level at any location don't get votes. Welfare checks do.
 
Here is my take.

I have been a part of the FOWH for about 7 years even though I have historically gone there only 1-3 times a year. Mostly, I like the advance reservation weekends to meet friends in a very nice place.

This year, I did not renew my membership. I think they are way too passive when it comes to dealing with the Parks Department and while mosquito traps are helpful, they will be useless if the place eventually closes.
 
Dave,
there is no clause in the contract to reward contractor if completed early . There is no clause if they don't finish on time . No reward/ no penalty which is the norm now a days on large projects that are time sensitive. Also they are having a lot problems with new electric at sailors and I fear those mistakes will be repeated at Watch hill.

Rob
 
We were at Sailors on Monday and electric behaved fine.
Though my electric grill didn't get as hot, I wonder if I was having decreased voltage!
 
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