Smaller towns in the North Country take pride in the special attractions their communities offer. But they usually don't trumpet their good fortune. They allow the momentum and word of mouth to build over the years and earn stellar reputations among a loyal base of people who visit often and enjoy their experiences.
But the Town of Waverly can't keep quiet about what it has to offer. And we can't blame the Town Council and the residents for wanting to boast.
Waverly is one of just two towns in the Adirondack region -- the other being Port Henry -- that owns and operates a campground.
The St. Regis Falls Scenic Campsite offers its visitors their choice of rustic rental camps and cabins as well as tent space along a breathtaking stretch of the St. Regis River.
The land was once home to mills and factories from the community's rich past, but it was 1967 when the Town Council received a grant to develop the scenic riverside.
Soon, walking and hiking trails were cut through the dense woods, the abundance of trout and bass attracted fishing enthusiasts from far and near, and families enjoyed the beach and picnic area.
A footbridge spanning the river allowed adventurers to explore the opposite side of the river before they returned to the river's edge for a cookout or other activity.
But, as the years passed and the interests of families and their traveling habits changed, the town had to fund its own campground repairs.
The footbridge repeatedly washed away during the spring thaw, but it was repaired and reattached when it could be.
The campground lost some of its luster, but the Town Council did not give up. Improvements were made in the last three decades until the council's diligence was rewarded.
Waverly was given a $575,000 grant last fall to upgrade and extend its community sewer system and to make other improvements, including some at the campground.
Another $10,000 grant from the office of Sen. Betty Little (R-Queensbury) was given for a new footbridge.
And volunteers are being recruited to reclaim the walking and hiking trails so even more people can come to enjoy what the campground can offer.
The Town Council is inviting everyone to attend a special event in July to bring together those who built the campground with those who worked there and those who visited there during the past 40 years.
If you visit Waverly, it'll seem like a walk in the park. But it's actually the culmination of a lot of hard work by a lot of people. It's well worth the effort, and it gets better every day.
