NARROWSBURG – A number of criticisms to a proposed pavilion in the hamlet of Narrowsburg were delivered by residents of the town of Tusten on Tuesday, with a number of alterations now planned for the project’s design.

The town proposed the installation of a pavilion in the Flats neighborhood of Narrowsburg after receiving a matching grant of $40,000 from Sullivan 180. 

However, after seeing heavy public criticism, the board recessed their meeting to discuss major changes to the pavilion’s blueprints that are expected to be brought forth at a follow-up meeting on August 23 at 1 p.m.

The original project design included an open-air pavilion spanning 30 feet by 50 feet, an attached bathroom and kitchen area, and a grass parking lot owned by a private company neighboring to the lot. A number of issues regarding these features were brought up by a handful of residents. 

One of the issues included problems with the size and design of the proposed pavilion. When shown a rendition of what the pavilion could possibly look like, a number of residents groaned out of disgust in unison. 

The design was described as “Bethel Woods-y” and “heavy” by Town Board Member Kevin McDonough, and was also compared to a New York City metro station by a town resident attending the meeting. One resident likened the sheer size of the project to “the Taj Mahal,” stating it looks more like a barn and not a pavilion. 

As a result of this, members of the Town Board noted their intent to shrink the size down to 20 feet by 24 feet.

Another issue was the cost and manpower of the upkeep and maintenance of the bathroom and kitchen area. Some residents showed their displeasure in the town’s idea of hiring of an attendant to the pavilion. Others were concerned about bathrooms inviting crime, other undesirable activity and illegal substance use if left unattended. The kitchen area brought up concerns of cleanliness and attracting wildlife.

Town Supervisor Ben Johnson noted that the kitchen area was planned to hold only smaller cooking essentials, nothing gas powered.

As a result of these comments, both the bathroom and the kitchen area ideas were scrapped.

Another major issue many residents brought up was the location of the pavilion in the Flats neighborhood of the hamlet, which is a residential district. Foresight of possible noise and parking related issues were brought up by a neighbor who lives on the lot next door. The town noted that they were working out a deal with Dirlam Bros. Lumber to use a section of their land for parking, which sparked caution of setting a precedent of private business loaning out parking spots, given the town’s history of parking struggles.

Complaints were also heard regarding the supposedly counterintuitive cutting down of trees in the area that provided natural shade, after the Town noted their desire to provide shade with the pavilion. According to residents, there currently sits an unfinished walking path that cuts through the park.

After public comment had closed, the Town Board noted they will return from their recession August 23 at 1 p.m with an updated design.