Community Partners

TOWN OF JOHNSBURG PUBLIC PROPERTY AND PROGRAMS DEPARTMENT

Peter Olesheski became the first director of the newly formed PPP department in March 2023.
Peter comes to the job well-credentialed with BA’s in Environmental Science & Policy and Industrial Hygiene from Clarkson University, nearly 18 years at Up Yonda Farm in Bolton Landing as an Environmental Educator, and, most recently, nearly four years with the Town of Moreau as their Parks & Recreation Director.

As Director of Johnsburg’s PPP Department, Mr. Olesheski oversees:  Department managerial responsibilities: staffing, equipment, budget, planning, maintenance scheduling and capital improvements.

♦  Cemetery Maintenance. ♦  Winter sidewalk maintenance
♦  All town buildings and grounds maintenance: 8 buildings and two actively used parks
♦  Senior Citizen program development. ♦  Youth summer and year-round programs

Mr. Olesheski works closely with the Friends of Johnsburg Parks Board. He served as Chair of the Friends for 2 years from 2008-2010 when the group produced the first master plan, Vision 2020. When the Vision was accepted by the Town Board to be the guiding document for Ski Bowl Park development, he decided to run for office to become a Town Board member who would be a voice for the parks; he served for ten years.  Friends of Johnsburg Parks (FJP) collaborates with the Town of Johnsburg for the planning and development of its parks.  Our goal is to assist the PPP Director with programming, planning, fundraising, and capital projects.

UHTA, SPTIS, Adirondack Treks

In addition, we consider the local Upper Hudson Trails Alliance (UHTA) a close partner as it maintains the multi-use trails within Ski Bowl Park and works to expand the network to North River. Another active trails maintenance group is the Siamese Pond Trails Improvement Society (SPTIS) which maintains the state land trails which connect with Ski Bowl Park. We also work with the North Country Scenic Trail, a National Parks long trail. Adirondack Treks, a local youth outdoor group, is partnering with the FJP to bring outdoor recreational opportunities to kids once funding is found.

Volunteers

Parks don’t happen without volunteers. Over the past fifty years local people have been contributing their time, ideas, skills, and manual labor to creating park spaces and events here in Johnsburg.  As our local volunteer base ages, we need younger people and new residents to step up to help.
Become a Friends member; sign up to serve on a committee or help with new and existing park programs. If you know what you can offer and/ or what you prefer, great. Fill in the form on this page; if you need more information, ask the Friends person-in charge of volunteer recruitment who will talk more about existing opportunities.
Everyone likes to give of themselves—some know it, others do not but will someday. Don’t hesitate to become a volunteer in our parks or on our trails. It’s fun, it’s social, it’s exciting to make progress toward a long-term goal.