Preble’s iconic Tommy the Turtle is a shell of its former self following its removal from Dwyer Memorial Park in December.
Tommy and the rest of the playground equipment were taken from the park by the Cortland County Highway Department. The decision was made under the direction of Legislature Chair Kevin Fitch (R-Homer, Preble, Scott) and the Highway Committee following the County’s Safety Director’s inspection, Fitch said.
“I was done a disservice and the public was done a disservice that there wasn’t an announcement that it was going to be taken down, the reason that it was going to be taken down and what were the future plans,” Legislator Linda Jones (R-Homer) said. Jones has lobbied for years and organized improvements at the park.
“I was very shocked and dismayed, I do understand that some of the older equipment presents a hazard to some children … but usually a plan of action is put into place before things are removed.” City of Cortland Historian Kate O’ Connell said.
Fitch said the situation could have been handled better. “While the removal process was undertaken with the park’s long-term improvement in mind, we acknowledge that better communication could have helped set expectations and keep residents informed.”
The 50-year-old playground does not meet disability accessibility standards, and Cortland County legislators have been looking to make changes for a while.
“Cortland County did recognize that the current equipment at the park did not conform to the
American Disabilities Act in being all accessible to include individuals with disabilities, which
we are driven and committed to correct.” Fitch said. “Safety standards change from time to time. Being that the equipment has been in the park for many years, Cortland County needs to bring them all up to current standards,”
“If they had said we need to remove the equipment and put in a $100,000 playground then people would have understood. It was the shock of not being open and forward with what the information was, and not disseminating the information,” O’ Connell said.
Cortland County officials will continue to seek grants. Installing a new playground could cost $250,000, Fitch said.
“We are hoping to secure grant funding under the state’s Parks and Recreation Fund, but we will pursue every viable option,” he said.
Jones had a design and a quote completed in 2024 for the project – which the Highway Committee did not act on. Fitch said that will go along with Cortland’s grant application. The county is reviewing national, federal and state playground guidelines, too. “The removal does not mean the equipment is gone for good,” Fitch said.
Tommy the Turtle and the other playground pieces are being stored at the Cortland County Highway Department.
“While the recommendation of the Highway Committee was to auction off all of the equipment, there is potential for some of it to be reinstalled at the park,” Fitch said. “While we hope to restore and reinstall as much of the old equipment as possible, our priority is ensuring that any equipment meets safety and compliance standards.”
Fitch says it’s important to try to incorporate the old playground pieces.
“The equipment holds meaning to residents and represents a piece of the park’s history. I can remember when I was a kid, riding through the park on the mini train and enjoying the mini roller coaster,” he said. “I, too, have fond memories of Dwyer Park.”
Jones also says it’s important to incorporate the historical pieces of the park. “I look at other playgrounds and they still have the little animals you get on, and the little teeter-totters. It’s the only thing for little toddlers, and a lot of mothers have said to me ‘Where are we going to take our little kids now, there’s no parks for the little kids.’”
Tommy the Turtle, which weighs 1,400 pounds, was sculpted in 1958, Jones said.
Other parks have moved their Tommies and put them on display, Jones said. “Maybe move Tommy the Turtle to the entrance by the wagon, let’s make it so he’s not accessible, but don’t get rid of him.”
Fitch said the county could still keep Tommy to play on – so long as there’s a way to prevent children from going under – or “placed in the park for all to admire as a focal point in a garden setting.”
Progress has already been made improving the park, Fitch said, some of it through Jones’ efforts, including the refurbishing of stone fireplaces, a new dock, a newly painted and repaired wade pool, a new elevator at the main pavilion and a new sidewalk at the main entrance.
“This is just another chapter in Dwyer Park’s improvement process,” Fitch said. “I just ask for everyone’s patience during this improvement process.”
“I would hope that the county will figure this out, and that when the season starts, there will be a playground for children,” Jones said.
