Shadow Pines in Penfield celebrates opening
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PENFIELD, N.Y. – After six years, the Town of Penfield opened 212 acres of land for public use. The Shadow Pines Property on 600 Whalen Road, was something people voted for as an outdoor space, rather than development. The town bought the property in 2018 after Penfield voters approved it, and Saturday’s celebration was the grand opening, and all about a space where people can go to be active, including a 18 hole disc golf course.
“Solitude and sanctuary, that’s here. If you’re looking for the opportunity to play disc golf, or go hiking, or mountain biking, that’s here too, so there really is something for everyone,” Penfield Town Supervisor, Marie Cinti said.
The Shadow Pines was up for grabs after a golf course closed in 2016. A housing development was slated to be built there, but that wasn’t what the people of Penfield had in mind.
“The voters agreed it was the largest turnout for any referendum in the history of this town, over 7,000 voters,” Donna Spinella told News10NBC. Spinella is the founder of the group “Save Shadow Pines.”
Spinella’s group was vocal about keeping the land as open space. This project was six years in the making, and Spinella says it wasn’t an easy path.
After six years, the Town of Penfield opened 212 acres of land for public use. The Shadow Pines Property on 600 Whalen Road, was something people voted for as an outdoor space, rather than development. The town bought the property in 2018 after Penfield voters approved it, and Saturday’s celebration was the grand opening, and all about a space where people can go to be active, including a 18 hole disc golf course.
“Zoning codes we researched, what the financial impact of a housing development would be here, the town board decided to buy the land, some of the citizens in town either opposed the purchase of the land, or they opposed the fact that a referendum wasn’t held to ask the voters what they wanted.”
The town board did leave it to voters choice, and now there’s a space to play disc golf, walk your dog, read a book, hike, and more. The park is open, but there is more exciting work to be done. Town leaders say more installations, like water and electricity, are part of the plan.