We have something precious and rare:
A walkable village with breathtaking river and mountain views, world-class hiking trails, a vibrant Main Street free of chain stores, an exceptional public school system, and a community that maintains parks, memorials, gardens, ball fields and youth teams, a fire station, a public library, and a boat club, all within a short car or train ride from an international metropolis.
Untraversed by major highways and surrounded by natural barriers, Cold Spring has been insulated from heavy traffic until recently. Now the secret is out: Instagram and international travelers have found us and spread the word, and tourism is growing steadily. The Fjord Trail and the ongoing improvements to the trail system will draw even more visitors.
We need to be at the table as these developments evolve so that our quiet and neighborly village life is protected. Facing these challenges will take bold leadership by people invested in the community.
We can turn the challenges into resources if we focus on aspects we can control. We must pay for better tourism management by monetizing visitor parking and collecting permit fees for visitor related services. Our parks and waterfront should be planned and developed to serve the community’s needs first. I’ve heard suggestions of a dog run, skate park, pollinator garden, swimming pool, sprinkler park, community composting site, and additional farmers’ market spaces. We as a community must come up with our vision together.
