Vestal’s “Beautiful Green Space” Remains Elusive

More than six years after a green space project was proposed along the Vestal Parkway, the site remains undeveloped.

A recreational and conservation area was planned for the former Rivercrest neighborhood across the Vestal Parkway from University Plaza.

WATCH: The January 2020 WNBF News video at the end of this article.

John Schaffer, who was the town supervisor, in January 2020 said a project was in the works to create a "beautiful green space" with amenities that could include trails and sidewalks.

Schaffer said the town board had approved a conservation easement for North Star Group, which had acquired the properties and demolished more than a dozen homes in the Rivercrest Historic District.

Plans presented to the Vestal town board featured "areas with potential for recreation or education" uses. They suggested a greenway could be developed along the Susquehanna River.

No development work occurred on the properties over the past several years.

Maria Sexton and other town officials visited the site of the proposed green space in January 2025.

Sexton this week told WNBF News the potential green space project had been delayed during the Covid-19 pandemic.

She indicated more recently there had been delays due to the possible need to construct a bridge on the site.

Although some large pipes have been sitting on the property for more than a year, it's not clear what potential new development could occur in the former Rivercrest neighborhood.

WNBF NEWS VIDEO: The first report of the potential development envisioned for the site in January 2020.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or call (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.