×

Lily Dale to open, with restrictions

LILY DALE — The Lily Dale Board of Directors have decided on a plan to reopen their community for the summer, with many changes compared to past years, regarding the pandemic.

This has been met with varying opinions from the public and residents of Lily Dale.

“After much soul searching, research, listening, consideration of our demographics, financial review and deliberation, by a divided vote has made a decision,” reads the public statement from the board. “We have taken this decision seriously on how best to protect our community and the public under these circumstances.”

That being said, the board has decided to operate a gate system at the entrance of Lily Dale, which will be manned for 12 hours a day until opening day, where it will be manned 24 hours a day thereafter.

“This is an attempt to keep our community both closed and safe to any other visitors other than resident’s family members and scheduled guests. Masks will be required otherwise no-one will be permitted to enter our grounds.”

The 2020 year will have new restrictions starting on opening day, June 26, including the entrance having a 24-hour secured gate system. Gate passes will cost $15, and the number of visitors in the community will be limited to 80 per day. Pre-sold tickets to all events and the gate, to control the amount of visitors per day.

Visitors must wear masks and the temperature of all visitors will be taken before entering the grounds. When on the grounds, social distancing is required along with disinfecting and hand sanitizing. All of the workshops and classes that used to take place in a classroom setting will now be held virtually. In addition, all home circles will be held virtually and all Monday Night Circles will be held virtually.

Other closings and changes in Lily Dale include the following: Inspiration Stump services at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. will be held in the Leolyn Woods with socially distanced circles marked for individuals to sit. Mediums have the option to serve or not to serve.

The Lyceum, Assembly Hall, Octagon, Museum, Library, Forest Temple, Healing Temple, Leolyn Hotel, Mother’s Rest are closed all summer. The campgrounds are closed except for self- contained campers with their own bathroom. The Lily Dale Bookstore opens on June 26 and is limited to two people at a time, masks and social distancing. Hand sanitizers will be available at the door and there is also an online store. The Lily Dale Beach will be open only to residents on a limited basis.

Guest Houses, Mediums and Businesses operating in Lily Dale but not owned or operated by Lily Dale Assembly may choose to open or not, as they are each responsible to meet the criteria set by Governor Cuomo including: developing, submitting and displaying their safety plan.

While the board has met several times to discuss a thoroughly planned opening, some residents and mediums in the community do not agree with the board’s decision. Wishing to remain anonymous, a resident in the community has reached out to the OBSERVER with concerns about the reopening. “I just want what is best for Lily Dale,” the anonymous resident said. “This is not it.”

Most of the residents in Lily Dale seem to have the same wish, which is to keep Lily Dale closed off from the public until the pandemic has subsided. “Most of the residents are over 60 years old and many have long-standing health issues,” the anonymous resident said.

Following a heated conversation on Facebook in a private group, the residents of Lily Dale banned together to voice their opinions to the board. The group of residents say their wishes were ignored, because according to a private poll, more than 83 percent of the residents did not want to open the gates this summer.

On the flipside, there are annual visitors complaining that the restrictions are too tight, they do not agree with the rules, and they will not be visiting this year. “I won’t be attending this year under those conditions,” John Mulligan said. “I am tired of playing these political games.”

Finally, those in the middle ground, agree with and support the board’s decision. “Please take very good care of the ‘Dale,” Juliet Parry said. “It was your home before it was our vacation destination.”

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today