Thousand Island Park fly through Video from Feather in Flight Productions
Please enjoy this beautiful aerial video of Thousand Island Park autumn colors.  

"I'm thinking of a project for my cottage. What should I do?"

Thousand Island Park is operated by a privately-held corporation that
recognizes both our unusual historic past and our present as a very desirable
place to live - primarily in the summer. We have come to the Park because
we value the feeling of community, because we enjoy our neighbors and
because we recognize and appreciate this rare collection of architectural
gems.

With that as background, how should an improvement to a cottage be
approached? For most, the starting point is either a need for repair or
restoration, a desire to enhance their property, or a wish to accommodate a
Victorian structure to our modern society. And this may be the best place to
start the process - i.e. clearly defining what the desired change is and what
need is to be met.

For smaller scale projects, that beginning might be an owner-drafted "plan" or
a sketch by a friend or a potential builder. If the project is larger in scale, an
architect is probably warranted. At this early stage it is useful to consult the
Thousand Island Park Historic Preservation Handbook (available on our
website and at the Landmark shop) to become familiar with the Park's
Preservation Code and Land Use Regulations (see www.tiparkcorp.com).
The Landmark Society's Resource Library might also be a source of
inspiration and guidance.

It is useful to have an informal conversation with the TIP Corporation office,
both for inspiration and for a preliminary understanding of the review process
which, depending on the size and complexity of the project, may require an
application to the Preservation and Architectural Review Board (the
Preservation Board). Any exterior changes to your cottage, other than paint
color, must be submitted to the Preservation Board. The Preservation Board
review process itself will be the subject of a future "Preservation Blast."

The next step is often selection of a contractor. This should be done with an
architect if one is involved. The TIP Corporation has a list of contractors who
are approved to do work on the Park. Complete plans need to be drawn up
that explain the project and assist the review process - drafting plans may
also solidify and/or modify the envisioned project. Once plans are on paper a
firm cost can be ascertained and the review process, which will lead to a
clear project definition, a precise cost and a timeline, can begin.
We enjoy an extremely pleasant and rewarding "place on the River".

Engaging in projects to enhance each of our cottages adds to the architecture
and appearance of our community and improves our homes both individually
and collectively.


Sincerely,
The Preservation & Architectural Review Board
- and -
The Landmark Society

The Economics of Historic Preservation at T.I. Park

Thousand Island Park is incredibly intact. To quote architect and professor
Paul Malo, "Taken as a whole, the place is a historical treasure - of
architecture and as a living document of social history." T.I. Park's placement
on the National Register of Historic Places enhances the value of each
cottage and the vitality of the entire community.

Historic preservation is a sound investment, as it is more efficient and cost
effective to preserve a historic building than to construct a new one.
Preservation is an economic development tool and yields significant benefits
to the community by providing jobs in planning, architecture, design and
construction, and in product sales for local businesses.

T.I. Park offers walkability, open spaces, connectivity, increased density,
quality architecture in a traditional neighborhood structure, and quality of life.
The historic district designation maintains and improves the value of
properties. In a study of National Register districts in Philadelphia,
economists noted that residential parcels located within historic districts
attract a price premium of 131 percent.

National Register designation also allows the Thousand Island Park
Corporation to apply for New York State historic preservation tax credits to
better the community and further our sense of place.


Sincerely,
The Preservation & Architectural Review Board
- and -
The Landmark Society

This is the first in a series of educational e-mail "bytes" on historic
preservation in Thousand Island Park.

Question: What's the difference between the Preservation Board and
the Landmark?

Short answer: The Preservation Board handles architectural review of TIP
building projects. Landmark promotes, encourages and advocates for
preservation of TIP's architecture.

Long answer: With Thousand Island Park's designation as a National
Register Historic District in 1982, the T I Park Corporation created the
Preservation and Architectural Review Board in 1987, charging it with
overseeing the Corporation's commitment to protect the community's
significant architectural heritage. The Preservation Board derives its authority
from the shareholder- approved Preservation Code and Land Use
Regulations for Leaseholders. It reviews all applications for any modifications
to the exterior of cottages and all new construction in the Park, based on T I
Park's preservation code. Our listing on the National Register of Historic
Places means that we must have and adhere to a preservation code. The
Landmark Society was founded in 1976 as a tax exempt, not-for-profit
corporation. Its legal name is Thousand Island Park Preservation Co., Inc.
d/b/a Thousand Island Park Landmark Society. The Landmark Society's
purposes include encouraging preservation, restoration, rehabilitation and
historic research; providing training opportunities to support historic
preservation; organizing exhibits and lectures; gathering and disseminating
information regarding the history and architecture of T I Park; operating a
resource library and gift shop; and working with others to ensure the
preservation of buildings in the Park. The Landmark Society has no
enforcement authority.

We hope this information is useful. If you have questions, comments or ideas
for other preservation "byte" topics, please respond to this email at:
tiparkcorp2@twcny.rr.com.


Sincerely,
The Preservation & Architectural Review Board
- and -
The Landmark Society