ALLEGANY, N.Y. — Nicole Washington watched from the bank of the Allegheny River Wednesday as workmen installed a floating dock for people to boat on during the Memorial Day weekend and throughout the summer.
Washington counts herself among those who can’t wait to use the floating dock and wants to try out her kayak as soon as possible.
Dom Papasergi, superintendent of the village of Allegany Department of Public Works, said the dock, now in its third season of use, has been good for area residents and businesses. The $20,000 price tag for the dock was reimbursed to the village from a grant from the Cattaraugus County Legislature. Those funds were provided through $150,000 in Seneca Allegany Resort and Casino revenue funds. Local launch sites in Allegany, Olean and Portville were eligible for the program.
Papasergi said the village and town have added amenities to the riverside area over the past couple of years that have included boat racks, signs and garbage cans as well as handicap-accessible picnic tables and grills on concrete pads. A solar light was also installed near the dock.
“We put the light in so people (and police) can see down by the river” in the event of mischief, Papasergi explained.
He said future plans may include a campground on the flat field near the dock and Allegany River Park area which has restrooms.
“I think we’ll be able to do it, the only thing we would need is to get water (lines) down there,” he said of a campground. “I think the camping is going to be big” in the future.
Papasergi said he would also like to see a community-owned facility for the rental of kayaks and canoes to visitors. If this would materialize, town and village teenagers could staff the facility as summertime employees, he added.
“This is all stuff we’re working on to bring recreation back to Allegany,” Papasergi remarked.
Mayor Greg Pearl said he believes the floating dock has already helped the community financially. Pearl noted Allegany “is one of the few” municipalities in Cattaraugus County that has seen an increase in sales tax revenue since its installation.
On a related note, Papasergi said the dock area regularly brims with vehicles and boats during the summer season. He said many boaters stop in Allegany to use restroom facilities in the park and then purchase food and beverages from businesses.
For her part, Washington said she began using a kayak last year on the river because the dock made it simpler to get in and out of the water.
“It’s easier, because otherwise you have to get out (of the kayak) and into the water where it’s sandy and can be pretty deep,” she said. “It just makes (the river) more accessible.”
Washington said she had been waiting and watching for village work crews to install the dock the past week or so.
“I figured by Memorial Day they would have it in,” she added. “I want to go kayaking this weekend.”
