About Tim Rowland

Tim Rowland is a columnist, author and outdoors writer living in Jay.

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Comments

  1. william c hill says

    Let’s hope this continues and this piece of Adirondack history doesn’t go up in flames like so many others.

    • Mike Meadows says

      Should have been or should be rented out for venues such as weddings, music venues, antique shows, etc. a place that will generate money for six to seven months out of a year.

  2. Boreas says

    I guess I would have to ask, as I honestly don’t know:

    1. Why did the State buy the property in the first place? Is it unique or sensitive ecologically, or was it just to keep it from being developed further? Or a political feather-in-cap?

    2. What is the ecological value of parcel on Meacham Lake?

    3. What are the plans for the Lodge parcel and have any impact studies been done?

  3. Tom Paine says

    Be careful Adirondack towns, villages and counties you could be playing with fire again. If the deal seems to good to be true, it probably is. Trust the State of New York, not on your life.

  4. Walt Linck says

    I think it’s a total pipe dream for people to believe that any not-for-profit like the Debar Institute will succeed in buying those 400 acres, rehabilitating the lodge adequately, and running public educational programs there that can truly meet requirements for not-for-profit, tax-deductible status. (I.e., they’ll need to offer much more than just lodging.) What professional staffing will be needed, at minimum? Certainly an executive director, a caretaker, and at MINIMUM one top-notch educator/program staff person. Will guests be staying overnight? If so, add in those necessary housekeeping and kitchen staff. Throw in the significant annual maintenance costs and how much is that for an annual budget? And where do all these staff people live – in Loon Lake? This place is in DUANE. Where do the paying customers to sustain the programming come from, and how will the programs offered be so unique and attractive enough as to draw visitors all the way from Lake Placid, Saranac Lake and other tourist centers – at least an hour’s drive away? As I said – a total pipe dream, in my view… a scramble to just try to save the buildings for now with some inspiring words on paper, which I don’t think are really being scrutinized in a business sense.

  5. Matt Manning says

    The present parking lot for Debar Pond is intelligently located a 1/4-mile away from the north shore/ old structures. This remarkably short distance down a forest road rewards any hiker with the serenity of a wild, deep mountain pond nestled closely by sweeping mountains slopes. If these plans relocate the parking lot any further in, Debar’s wilderness sounds and silences will be lost not only to those on the shore, by everyone on the water as well, as all paddlers know how sounds travels easy across water. My family has had four generations of regular visitors to Debar Pond, in all seasons, and we, contrary to this article, care endlessly more for protecting the wild resources and experiences found there than for the long abandoned old buildings. Our future generations deserve all the beautiful wild places we have had and that we can protect for them. Please do not allow the convenience of new, closer parking lot to pollute the wonders of wilderness at Debar Pond.

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