History Stalls Binghamton Farmers’ Market

A new, year-round farmers’ market in the Town of Dickinson is being stalled by history.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and other agencies have been studying the planned site at Otsiningo Park since April, following discovery of prehistoric and more modern archaeological materials.

Groundbreaking on the project has been pushed back at least twice with no guess as to when development can begin.

The state parks officials say a grant from Broome County for the project requires the thorough investigation into the location as a historic site.

Local history experts have said it should be no surprise that artifacts were found in the upper community garden plot area of Otsiningo Park since, just across Interstate 81 at SUNY Broome Community College, historic items have been unearthed for years. Many more recently with the demolition of the Alms House to make way for construction of student housing on the campus.

The Front Street campus used to be the site of the so-called ‘poor house’ and ‘potter’s field’ burial site for the destitute.

The entire region is rich in Native American and other prehistoric history as well, especially along the banks of the Chenango and Susquehanna Rivers.

County officials say as soon as the state gives the green light, the development of the year-round farmer’s market will move ahead.