Dann Lake Park management plan approved; natural setting to remain
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Guidelines were finally set for changes to Dann Lake - and there aren't many.

The Dann Lake Park Committee, under the Amherst Conservation Advisory Council, plans to maintain the passiveness around the 22-acre lake, making only minor improvements.

The plan, approved by the Amherst Town Board, organizes the various departments involved, keeping everyone on the same page.

"This allows us to truly put into writing the agreement from all sides on what the park should be," said Dave Copeland, chairman of the Dann Lake Park Committee.

Copeland said it will remain a nature park with trails and fishing. The proposed improvements are to install gates to prevent all-terrain and other recreational motor vehicles from entering the trails.

Copeland said the vehicles tear up the paths, especially in wet conditions, making them almost impassable for pedestrians.

The plan also calls for a 16-space parking lot to be installed. The material would be gravel or stone and would allow off-street parking, making it safer for park users. A path from the parking lot to the lake will be created.

Copeland said Dann Lake Park is a great complement to its neighbors, the Lou Gehrig Baseball Complex and the Amherst Recreational Center.

The plan was first drafted in 2005 after the land was donated to the town in 2003.

Peter Warn, a member of the committee, said the goal is to keep the park as natural and undeveloped as possible.