HomeMy WebLinkAboutGorge Ranger Report for Six Mile Creek Natural Area GORGE RANGER REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF JULY
SIX-MILE CREEK ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING—AUGUST 10,1998
Rangers: Darlene Bently and Crow Marley
The month of July proved busy and challenging. Statistics are included at the end
of this report. As our familiarity with the people and places of the gorge increases so too
does our recognition of particular areas deserving attention. We'll list these in(what we
have observed to be)order of importance.
The old mill building at Van Natta's Dam is one of the most hazardous areas of
public access in Six-Mile Creek. We have observed varying levels of dangerous behavior
from the gorge patrons in and around this particular area. The"patrons"range in age
from eight to twenty—yes, eight! It should be noted that this building offers easy access
to climbers and jumpers. We have witnessed young gorge users climbing horizontally
across the thin rust pipe that wraps around the lower section of the building. Once this
feat is accomplished these young people proceed to climb into the building and then jump
from a second story window into the gorge below. As if this wasn't dangerous enough,
the water level at this jumping point has continued to dwindle,but this fact has not
deterred the jumpers. Also, in order to further inspect other access points on this
building,we climbed upon the roof of the upper section. We discovered the roof to be
quite thin in places. It seems only a matter of time(and someone's unfortunate luck)
before the roof gives way. Because of the"immediate danger situations"we have
witnessed, and the fact that we cannot always be in this particular section of the gorge we
have enlisted the help of the Ithaca City Police on several occasions. Hence,the next area
we feel needs attention.
On July 17, 1998 Andy Hillman sent a memo to Police Chief Basile requesting
increased patrols of the Van Natta's Dam area. There does seem to be an increased
visibility of patrol cars in the Wildflower Trail parking lot. However, attention to the
places where jumpers and partiers frequent(which is all along the Van Natta's Gorge
area and in/on the mill building)seems—shall we say "low."We feel that some new
dialogue between rangers and local law enforcement should happen soon, and we are in
the process of putting together ideas for this particular discussion.
While on the subject of Van Natta's Dam, it should be noted that we have
installed two"No Swimming or Jumping Allowed" signs there. One at the top entrance
area of the gorge, at the dam just below Giles Street. The other in a second story window
of the lower old mill building;it was an amazing feat of courage and determination on
Darlene's part—Crow held the ladder. To date,the sign at the dam has been vandalized
and destroyed, and the sign on the building has been stolen.
Next on our growing list of things to do are projects to be completed before next
season. These projects include, a recycling station(similar to those on the Commons)to
replace the garbage can in the parking lot, and replacement of the railroad tie steps at the
Columbia Street entrance to the trail.We discussed these projects with Andy Hillman at
our weekly meeting (July 5)and feel hopeful that they will be completed—with the help
of the Department of Public Works—by next season.
Speaking of projects ... since there is no real manual, or sheet of paper with
instructions for that matter, and since we have often run across situations in the gorge
where procedure is definitely in question, we have come to the conclusion that a booklet
of"protocol for rangers"is a must. We have already begun jotting down ideas that are
pertinent to our daily work in the gorge. We would like to finish this project before next
season. If only there were a few rainy days...
Another more extensive project involves cleaning up the Indian Encampment
Area below Van Natta's Dam. This project could one, add to the natural beauty of the
Six-Mile Creek Area. Two,help divert excessive traffic from the most used Wildflower
Trail(just because there will be another area in which to explore/enjoy). Three,bring
much needed attention the Van Natta's Dam area hence changing the current and
problematic atmosphere there. And four, give respect where respect is deserved;
acknowledging this area as the last place a small band of Cayuga Indians were sighted
before their final departure from the Ithaca area. During our excursions and patrol of this
area we have sadly discovered this land to be in a chronic(and many years long)state of
neglect and abuse—with many years of trash strewn from one end to the other. It is also a
place where the homeless have taken shelter over the years. Due to the amount and types
of garbage in this area,there is no doubt about the presence of physical hazards to those
who trek through there right now.We would like to educate the public about this
historically profound area and then organize community volunteers in the clean up of this
piece of land.
Well, as you can see,we have lots of ideas rolling about and there's more to come
too! Many of these areas needing attention require much more than the few weeks
remaining in this season. Our hope is to return to the gorge next season—as rangers, of
course—and bring these projects and others to fruition.
Statistics for July
ALCOHOL 41
TRESPASSING 60 FT 82
SWEVEWNG 46
JUMPING 52
NUDITY 34
FIRE/CAMPING 5
GARBAGE AMOUNT
VAN NATTA'S heavy
30 FT light to very light by month's end
POTTER'S FALLS almost non-exixtent
2009 NAC Ranger Report for Monday, September 14
Rangers: Alexis Heinz, Gary Jordan
Old business
1) Trails
a. Trillium is still not crossable.
b. East section of Forest Trial, off South Hill Rec Way, has 17 downed trees, including a new one
that is mostly impassable.
c. Pyramid Trail will require continual pruning and training.
2) Signs
a. No sign is the at 30' dam east side(2'd dam).
b. Many signs have graffiti.
c. Many entrances have no signs.
d. The Wildflower sign is at back end of parking lot, a location with low visibility.
e. Due to my observations of the area, I think the best location for signs is about 12 feet up on a
sturdy tree.
3) Recycling and garbage containers
New business
1) Trails
a. Various users have requested that the trails be marked.
b. Various users have stated they think the erosion in this watershed is worse than most others they
have observed. They think it's due to unmarked trails.
2) Wildflower parking lot
a. There are a large number of"potholes"in the gravel. After rains water pools in these locations.
b. Users are not clear on how to park in the southern area of the lot, near the two benches.
3) Incidents
a. A kid jumped to the waters below the 30' (2'd) dam,which are only about 8 feet deep. He hit
rocks and had to be removed in a specialized carrying basket and transported to the hospital in a
helicopter. Some regular users of this area thought it was the same kid I had previously escorted
out for doing the 70'jump from the South side into the lower waters. An article was published.
b. A kid was standing on the rocks in upper Van Natta's (1St) dam which are above the upper pool.
He slipped, fell in, and broke his arm and collarbone. I only heard about this. His friends took
him to the hospital while he said, "Don't tell my mom."No article was published.
4) Does the NAC have a statement of purpose and/or Natural Area Use statement that is more specific than
Treman's mention of"passive recreation"?
5) Biking on East Hill Trail and Beech Trail between the Lower South Hill Rec Way and Giles Street
Statistics for August 7—September 7, 2009
Violations of Rules Use
Alcohol consumption- 71 Sunbathing/sitting- 1837
Swimming- 305 Walking/hiking- 1094
Jumping/preparing to- 91 Dogs on leash- 88
Rock climbing- 0 Running- 66
Dogs off leash- 54 Wading- 221
Public nudity- 33 Biking (rec way)- 10
Trespassing- 24 Fishing- 34
Fires/camping- 4 Bird watching- 1
Biking- 17 Photography- 4
Fishing- 2
Boating- 0 Average weekly litter amounts
Amplified sound- 3 Van Natta's- very light
Hunting- 0 Mulholland- almost none
Digging plants- 0 30' Dam- light
Potter's- almost none
Statistics for July 13—September 7, 2009 (Entire 2009 Ranger Season)
Violations of Rules Use
Alcohol consumption- 108 Sunbathing/sitting- 2581
Swimming- 465 Walking/hiking- 1579
Jumping/preparing to- 139 Dogs on leash- 166
Rock climbing- 12 Running- 102
Dogs off leash- 97 Wading- 353
Public nudity- 53 Biking (rec way)- 20
Trespassing- 25 Fishing- 56
Fires/camping- 8 Bird watching- 2
Biking- 19 Photography- 12
Fishing- 2
Boating- 0 Average weekly litter amounts
Amplified sound- 4 Van Natta's- light
Hunting- 0 Mulholland- almost none
Digging plants- 0 30' Dam- moderate
Potter's- almost none