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Potential Donation of Land for Recreation

Press Release
February 14, 2025

At the February 11, 2025 Ulysses Town Board meeting, the public was presented with a generous donation offer from a local family for 15.234 acres of land. 
 
Marvin and Allison Pritts, 5150 Cold Springs Road, approached the Town with the intended purpose of giving land in order to establish the Town's first publicly owned recreation park since it was founded in 1794.
 
In July 2024, the Town Board authorized a survey of the proposed donation, which was completed in late 2024. 
 
At the February 11 meeting, the Town Board passed a resolution expressing interest in the potential donation and authorized the preparation of initial environmental assessment forms to begin the process of collecting feedback on environmental considerations for the property. There will be numerous opportunities for the public to participate and provide their feedback throughout this process; the project will next be discussed at the regular Town Board meeting on Tuesday, February 25th at 7pm. 
 
"I'm overwhelmed by the generosity of the Pritts family for considering such a sizable donation to the Town. If the Town Board accepts the donation, I think it would allow our community to plan together to create a park that provides accessible public space to our residents of all ages. With so much negativity in the news, this is an example to me of how individuals can choose to make a positive difference in the lives of others where they live." 
 
Identified assets of the donation site include its access to public water, proximity to moderately dense residential areas within the Town, minor slope, and potential for development of a 0.8-mile trail from the proposed park to Trumansburg Central School District within the Village of Trumansburg. The connecting land, which was likely a former railroad spur, is owned by New York State and the Town has already begun feasibility conversations with regional officials about possible trail connectivity. 
 
Initial cost estimates to maintain the land, should it be accepted by the Town Board, were assessed by the Ulysses Department of Public Works at less than $2000/year for insurance, mowing, and basic maintenance by the DPW. This minimal maintenance cost would allow for development driven by conscientious, public-guided planning and fundraising efforts.
 
"A donation of such a large piece of property is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Since a donation does not include the expense of purchasing the land, accepting it would give the Town an opportunity to include the public in shaping its recreational usage and thoughtfully and gradually planned development," noted Supervisor Olson. "I am committed in my public role and private capacity to working with local partners to raise the necessary development funds through public grant sources and private donations. I recognize that these development expenses should not be passed on to Ulysses taxpayers."
 
The full presentation is available on the Town's website, as well as a statement by Marvin and Allison Pritts and the property survey. 
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Contact: Town Supervisor Katelin Olson, supervisor@townofulyssesny.gov

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Press release .pdf
2/11 Presentation at Town Board mtg
2/8 Letter from the Pritts
Video from 2/11 Town Board mtg