Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP)

Survey Results - As of January 31, 2006

Wilmington’s LWRP Citizens’ Committee is conducting a rolling survey to collect residents’ input over the next few months.  This means you may be asked to complete several different surveys on a range of topics related to the waterfront in Wilmington .  Don’t worry – they will all be short!  Here are the results of the first survey:

33 respondents at transfer station, 1/21/06 ; 13 others via e-mail or Town Hall drop box, 1/31/06

What do you value most about the AuSable River in Wilmington ?  (Choose up to two.)

Beach area                           Canoeing / Kayaking areas               Fishing                   Views

Fishing – 21

Swimming/beach – 16

Views – 11

Just having it there – 5

Recreation potential in general – 4

Canoe/Kayaking – 9

Cleanliness/purity, Walking, Birding, Never use it – 2 or 1 each

Why?  Are there other things you value not listed here?  What are they?  

Beach is public – that’s good. Fishing is important for economy. Closeness to village yet solitude upstream. Wildlife viewing opportunities. BBQs and music.

Do you think the river should be dredged to its original depth, or as near to it as we can get,
if we can work with local and regional agencies to do so?  

YES                   NO        WHY?     WHAT IF THERE ARE NEGATIVE SIDE EFFECTS?

Yes – 22

Undecided/Need more info – 10

No – 4

Yes only if improves fishing – 4

Yes in small increments, yes but it will be a continual problem, what negative side effects would there be – 2 ea.

Other:  Dam gate, remove dam entirely, don’t dredge because you will have to invade private lands – 1 ea.

Do you think the river silting is a problem – if so should we allow it to continue?  

YES                                NO                          WHY?

Yes a problem – 29

No not a problem – 8

No we shouldn’t let it continue/loss of lake/unhealthy/draw for locals and tourists - 14

Undecided – 4

We need to address how the dam affects it – 3

Need to identify sources of sedimentation, It’s natural – 2 each

Let it go to natural state, Old camp sewage/septic a problem, Salt is problem – 1 each

Are there other issues and interests you have about the waterfront in Wilmington ?  

Please tell us about them.  

Make beach area more attractive/maintain it and rest of waterfront better for local and tourist use – 11

Keep it the same/maintain small town atmosphere – 10

Improve opportunities for children/playground equipment – 4

Keep river clean for fishing / public use – 3

Fix up bridge / lights – 3

Address sewage / silt issues coming from Lake Placid – 2

Need river walk/improved nature trail – 2 each

Keep lake access open to all, keep multiple use, find strings attached, no alcohol at beach, make beach bigger, catch and release abolished, marshes at Hungry Trout, place for dogs to swim, plant trees, clean trash under bridge, pave lots, keep bridge stone, beach is treasure not many towns have, add small boat dock at beach, if Lake returns to marsh concerned about blackflies – 1 each

Are you (optional - please choose one):  A year-round resident of Wilmington ?   A short-term visitor?   A second home owner in Wilmington ?  Other?  

            Year-round residents – 41                      Business owner – 1       Part-year business owner - 1