Prior to the turn of the 21st century, Otsego County area enjoyed Gilbert Lake and Glimmerglass state parks.
Since the turn of the century, the area gained two more parks. One, previously covered, was the Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park. The newest was presented to the people 20 years ago, on July 30, 2005.
As readers of The Daily Star’s Aug. 1 edition learned, “Robert V. Riddell of Colliersville wanted the woods, fields and meandering Schenevus Creek on his property to be preserved and accessible for generations to come.
“Patricia Riddell Kent of Oneonta said Sunday that she was delighted and honored that her late father’s wish had come true and that the state agreed to turn the 1,035 acres in the towns of Milford and Maryland into a park.
“‘This is great,’ she said Saturday after seeing bold letters ‘Robert V. Riddell State Park.’
“More than 100 people, state officials and politicians,” and even the writer, “gathered in Milford off of state Route 28 on Saturday to hear Gov. George Pataki announce the opening of the state park and the pending acquisitions of two other properties in Otsego County.”
Riddell Kent said she had spoken with her father about the future of the property before he died in 2002. Both she and husband Steve worked since then with state lawmakers and agencies to turn the land into a park.
“Riddell Kent said her great-great grandfather, Alonzo Every, acquired the property in 1871 and passed it on to his daughter, Vinme, who married Murray Riddell.
“The Riddell name was introduced into the family with that marriage, she said, and the property passed from Murray to his son, Alton B. Riddell of Cooperstown Junction, and then to her father.
“Alton’s second wife, Helen, still lives in Cooperstown Junction, Riddell Kent said. They had planted many trees on the property, she said.
“Robert V. Riddell of Colliersville started a career in tool and die making in 1952 at the former Enterprise Aluminum in Oneonta,” where Corning, Inc. is today. “After that firm closed in 1963, he worked for American Plastics in Bainbridge until 1977, and then at Del-Met, Inc. in Walton until retirement in February 1991.
“Robert V. Riddell graduated from Oneonta High School in 1945, was a Navy veteran and was married to Janice Church Riddell, also a 1946 OHS graduate, who died in 2004. His previous employment included six years working for the Milford Highway Department.
“‘This is just a wonderful day,’ said Pataki after thanking the Kents for the tremendous gift and acknowledged work by state agencies and Sen. James Seward, in making the Riddell State Park a reality.
Senator Seward said, “I have known the Riddells all my life — since we grew up in Cooperstown Junction — and I can say that the donation of their land to the State for use as a park exemplifies their community spirit and generosity. While the land was very attractive for development and Bob Riddell could have sold it, he chose to maintain a lasting memorial to their family that will benefit generations to come and maintain 1,000 acres of open space and recreational lands.”
In addition to the gift, Pataki also announced the acquisition of more than 2,500 acres in Otsego County for conservation and recreational purposes.
“Through two public-private initiatives,” The Star continued, “The state is acquiring two properties to expand state forest holdings, Pataki said.
“The state has agreed to pay $1,073,500 for 1,130 acres that will become the General Jacob Morris State Forest in the town of Morris, and the state will acquire 392 acres in the town of Plainfield from the Open Space Initiative, which paid $502,250 for the parcel.
“The acquisitions are expected to be complete in the next year and will be with money from the state Environmental Protection Fund. As with all state forest lands, the state will pay local property and school taxes.”
This weekend. The local life and times around Chenango County in August 1925.