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Buzz around Cassadaga Beach

OBSERVER Photo by J.M. Lesiniski Pictured, a sunset over Cassadaga Lake and part of the beach. Inclement weather has been a frequent issue in getting the beach ready for summer in the village.

CASSADAGA — With summer fast approaching, the village has been hard at work aiming to get Cassadaga Beach open for the public.

Trustee Cindy Flaherty began her report with some unfortunate news regarding the village triathalon. “We had 30 students from Maple Avenue Academy come and rake the beach to get it ready for the triathalon, which was cancelled because of the weather,” she noted. “But they still did a great job.”

From there, Flaherty made the suggestion to open the beach as soon as possible. “I would like to open the beach gates from dawn to dusk like it says on the sign,” she said. “Let kids from the community play on the playground.”

Trustee Amanda Kalfas responded with concerns brought up at a prior board meeting. “The last time we talked about it though, we brought up the fact that the dock is still not in the water,” Kalfas stated. “And that was a huge concern for visitors’ safety. It’s a liability if somebody gets hurt.”

Ultimately, Kalfas noted her preference was to have the dock in first, but also inquired about what the policy was in 2018. “I would like not to have it open until the dock is in,” Kalfas said. “That’s how it’s been, (but) did we have it open last year with the dock?”

OBSERVER Photo by J.M. Lesinski Pictured, the playground, gazebo and picnic area at Cassadaga Beach.

Flaherty replied, “We had it open last year in May before the docks went in.”

Public Works Superintendent Sam Alaimo then spoke up, citing bad weather as the primary reason the docks still aren’t in. “The docks can go in as soon as we can get in the water,” he commented, adding. “I agree with Amanda. The edges of the docks and stuff, they’re not playground equipment. Kids will rather climb on them than play on the playground, they can play there anytime.”

With a water-related injury, a number of issues can arise, some capable of impeding the swimmer from treading properly, even in shallow water. “You get a kid with a piece of aluminum and he/she cuts their hand wide open,” Alaimo noted. “I don’t know how the legalities work, but once it’s in the water, it’s a lot different than it is on land.”

In addition, Kalfas pointed out that the current absence of lifeguards is also a concerning issue. “Once its in the water, there’s no lifeguard on duty,” she said of the situation. “We (only) have the fence that prohibits anyone from just being able to walk into the water and swim. I would love to get it open, I just don’t want anything to happen.”

Flaherty acknowledged Kalfas’ stance and went on to say, “I’ve just been getting tons of phone calls asking when will it open. I’ve caught kids on the beach twice, they’re coming around the fence…I think in the future we should think of a way to fence off the docks or something.”

Off this notion, Alaimo was quick to respond with a proposition for a separate, but associated playground not directly on the beach. “I think we should build a playground down by the ballfield separate from the beach,” Alaimo stated. “Just a playground by itself that isn’t fenced that they can go to anytime. Then that playground goes along with the beach in the summertime, if you can get a grant.”

Flaherty and the board liked the notion put forward by Alaimo, but no further action was taken at the time. Flaherty then noted one new addition to the beach equipment, “We also had a brand new foosball table donated to the beach.”

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