Vestal, New York 126145 215676989 2008-05-29T06:00:21Z DumZiBoT 6085301 Bot: Converting bare references, see [[User:DumZiBoT/refLinks|FAQ]] <!-- Infobox begins !--> {{Infobox Settlement |official_name = Town of Vestal, New York |settlement_type = Town |nickname = |motto = |image_skyline = |imagesize = 350px |image_caption = |image_flag = |image_seal = Vestal New York Seal.gif |image_map = |mapsize = |map_caption = <!-- {{location map|New York|label=Vestal|lat_deg=42|lat_min=5|lon_deg=-76|lon_min=-3}} --> |image_map1 = |mapsize1 = |map_caption1 = |pushpin_map = New York |pushpin_label_position = |pushpin_map_caption = Location of Vestal, New York |pushpin_mapsize = |subdivision_type = [[List of countries|Country]] |subdivision_type1 = [[Political divisions of the United States|State]] |subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in New York|County]] |subdivision_name = [[United States]] |subdivision_name1 = [[New York]] |subdivision_name2 = [[Broome County, New York|Broome]] |government_type = [[Civil Township]] |leader_title = Town Supervisor |leader_name = Pete Andreasen |established_title = Established |established_date = 1823 |area_magnitude = |area_total_km2 = 136.4 |area_total_sq_mi = 54.7 |area_land_km2 = 135.1 |area_land_sq_mi = 52.2 |area_water_km2 = 1.3 |area_water_sq_mi = 0.5 |area_water_percent = 0.95 |area_urban_km2 = |area_urban_sq_mi = |area_metro_km2 = |area_metro_sq_mi = |population_as_of = 2000 |population_note = 2005 Estimate: 27,423 |population_total = 26535 |population_metro = |population_urban = |population_density_km2 = 65.8 |population_density_sq_mi = 170.5 |timezone = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|EST]] |utc_offset = -5 |timezone_DST = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]] |utc_offset_DST = -4 |latd = 42 |latm = 05 |lats = 04 |latNS = N |longd = 76 |longm = 03 |longs = 12 |longEW = W |elevation_m = 308 |elevation_ft = 1010 |website = http://www.vestalny.com |postal_code_type = [[ZIP code]]s |postal_code = 13850-13851 |area_code = [[Area code 607|607]] |blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]] |blank_info = 36-77255 |blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID |blank1_info = 0979582 |footnotes = }} <!-- Infobox ends !--> </pre> </div> </noinclude> '''Vestal''' is a [[town]] within [[Broome County, New York|Broome County]] in the [[Southern Tier]] of [[New York]], and lies between the [[Susquehanna River]] and the [[Pennsylvania]] border. As of the 2000 census, the [[population]] was 26,535, estimated to have grown to 27,423 by 2005.<ref>[http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFPopulation?_event=Search&geo_id=01000US&_geoContext=&_street=&_county=Vestal&_cityTown=Vestal&_state=04000US36&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=geoSelect&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=010&_submenuId=population_0&ds_name=null&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null&reg=null%3Anull&_keyword=&_industry= United States Census Bureau on Vestal]</ref> The '''Town of Vestal''' is on the south border of the county and is south and southwest of [[Binghamton, New York|Binghamton]]. '''Vestal''' is home to [[Binghamton University]] which draws visitors to the town through its entertainment and sporting events. The University brings over 14,000 students to the town and employs more than 3,000 faculty and staff. == History == The first American settlement occurred around 1785. The central area of Vestal, near Route 26 at Choconut Creek, was the site of a native village of the [[Ochugnut]] tribe of the [[Tuscarora]]s. During the [[American Revolution]], a squad of soldiers from the Sixth Massachusetts Regiment, under the command of Lt. William McKendry [http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/pa/1pa/1picts/sullivan/roster.html] were sent to exterminate the natives. During the summer of 1779, the squad eliminated at least two villages, including one situated in what is now nearby Downtown [[Binghamton]] (the Chenango, at the junction of the [[Chenango River|Chenango]] and [[Susquehanna River|Susquehanna]] rivers), and the Ochugnut ([[Choconut]]) at the site of Choconut Creek near present-day [[Vestal Senior High School]]. Reasons for the attack include the [[Iroquois]] alliance with [[Great Britain]] during the American Revolution. However, some evidence indicates that at least some of the natives were actually [[Tuscarora (tribe)|Tuscarora]] - descendants of the [[Cherokee]] who fled from North Carolina after wars in 1711 and the [[French and Indian War|War of 1763]]. This community was actually sympathetic to the American cause, siding against the rest of the Iroquois confederation. See [[Sullivan Expedition]] or external links for more information on the role of Upstate New York in this conflict. [http://history.rays-place.com/ny/union-ny.htm] [http://www.stny.rr.com/choconut/history.htm] Following the war, several white families settled in the area near the Town of Union. The Town of Vestal was formed from the southern half of the [[Union, New York|Town of Union]] in 1823. The history of the town is closely related to its neighbors, [[Binghamton, New York|Binghamton]], [[Endicott, New York|Endicott]], and [[Johnson City, New York|Johnson City]]. During the 20th century, Vestal served as a residential suburb to emerging industries in its area, such as [[Endicott Johnson Corporation]], [[IBM]], and [[Lockheed Martin]]. In 1950, '''Triple Cities College of Syracuse University''', in [[Endicott, New York|Endicott]], [[New York]], relocated to Vestal and became [[Harpur College]], a member of [[SUNY]]. Today, the college has become [[Binghamton University]], the highest ranked [[public university]] in the [[Northeastern United States]]<ref>[http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/rankings/brief/natudoc/tier1/t1natudoc_brief.php "America's Best Colleges 2006: National Universities: Top Schools"], ''U.S. News & World Report'', accessed August 8, 2006</ref><ref>Fiske Guide to Colleges</ref>. The University adds 14,000 students to the local population each school year, and draws large numbers into the town for sporting, arts and other events. During the 1990s, Vestal became the major retail center of the Southern Tier region of New York, with many large shopping centers such as the Town Square Mall, Parkway Plaza, Shoppes at Vestal, and Campus Plaza being built along the Vestal Parkway (NY Route 434), which became one of the busiest roads in the area. Vestal's historic central business district is located along three blocks of Front Street, still lined with small shops. ==Geography== [[Image:NaturePreserve.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Nature Preserve at [[Binghamton University|SUNY]]]] According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{sq mi to km2|52.7}}. {{sq mi to km2|52.2}} of it is land and {{sq mi to km2|0.5}} of it (0.95%) is water. The Town of Vestal is on the south side of the [[Susquehanna River]]. The north town line is defined by the [[Susquehanna River]], the west town line is the border of [[Tioga County, New York|Tioga County]], and the south town line is the border of [[Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania|Susquehanna County]], [[Pennsylvania]]. [[New York State Route 17]] passes across the north part of the town and intersect north-south highway [[New York State Route 26]] by the Susquehanna River. [[New York State Route 434]], Vestal Parkway, intersects NY-26 south of the NY-17 junction. [[New York State Route 201]] links the town to the north shore of the Susquehanna River. ==Demographics== As of the [[census]]{{GR|2}} of 2000, there were 26,535 people, 8,525 households, and 5,924 families residing in the town. The [[population density]] was {{PD mi2 to km2|508.5}}. There were 8,898 housing units at an average density of 170.5 per square mile (65.8/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 87.13% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 2.19% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.15% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 8.33% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.99% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.20% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 2.40% of the population. There were 8,525 households out of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.9% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.5% were non-families. 25.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.95. In the town the population was spread out with 18.9% under the age of 18, 24.0% from 18 to 24, 20.6% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 90.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.7 males. The median income for a household in the town was $51,098, and the median income for a family was $60,676. Males had a median income of $48,731 versus $29,035 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $22,363. About 4.3% of families and 7.1% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 7.6% of those under age 18 and 5.1% of those age 65 or over. == Transportation == [[Image:VestalParkway.jpg|thumb|250px|Retail along the Vestal Parkway]] Vestal is linked from the west primarily by [[New York State Route 17]], which is under development to become [[Interstate 86 (east)|Interstate 86]]. It is also very close to [[Interstate 81]] and [[Interstate 88 (east)|Interstate 88]]. Two major bridges and one minor bridge of [[New York State Route 26]], [[New York State Route 201]], and Bridge Road link Vestal to the villages of [[Endicott, New York|Endicott]] and [[Johnson City, New York|Johnson City]]. [[New York State Route 434]], "The Vestal Parkway" is the main artery through Vestal. It provides a direct link to [[Binghamton, New York|Binghamton]] in the east. [[Broome County Transit]] provides Vestal with bus service around the town and to surrounding municipalities. [[Greater Binghamton Airport]] is located about seven miles away in [[Maine, New York|Maine]], [[New York]], and provides direct flights to [[Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport]], [[Philadelphia International Airport]], and [[Washington Dulles International Airport]]. ==Schools== *'''[[Binghamton University]]''' - A [[SUNY]] university center with over 14,000 students. *'''[[Vestal Central School District]]''' - A school district which includes [[Vestal High School]], ranked in the top 500 high schools in the United States according to Newsweek. [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8759025/site/newsweek/?page=6] == Shopping/Dining/Entertainment in Vestal == *Town Square Mall *The Shoppes at Vestal *Parkway Plaza *Campus Plaza == Recreational Areas in Vestal == The town of Vestal has 21 town operated and maintained parks which cater to all ages<ref>[http://www.vestalny.com/page.aspx?pID=53&dID=20 Town of Vestal - Recreation<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>. *Arnold Park – Andrews Road Four picnic shelters (shelter #1 is under construction), tables, grills, playground equipment, ball field with lights, football field, softball fields, rest room facilities, running water, electricity, nature trail, hiking, sand volleyball court, ice skating, fitness trail, cross country skiing, parking. *African Road Park – African Road Picnic shelter, grill, playground equipment, running water, stream, playground, electric, parking. *Barlow Park – Main Street Picnic shelter, tables, grill, playground equipment, running water, parking, electricity. *Castle Gardens Park – Garden Lane Picnic shelter, tables, grill, playground equipment, ball field, half basketball court, running water, no parking. *David Avenue Park – David Avenue Picnic shelter, tables, grill, playground equipment, tennis court, basketball court, stream. *DEC Flood Fields – Main Street Soccer fields, ball field, golf practice. *Ethel Place Park – Ethel Park Picnic shelter, tables, grill, playground equipment, basketball and kickball court, running water, no parking. *Fuller Hollow Park – Marietta Drive Picnic shelter, tables, playground equipment, ball field, stream, no parking. *Harold Moore Park – Old Vestal Road Picnic shelter, tables, grill, playground equipment, softball fields, two full court basketball courts, rest rooms and concession stand, running water, soccer fields, electricity, river access, boat ramp, parking. *Jones Park – State Line Road Nature trail, stream, hiking, cross country skiing, parking. Dogs allowed on leash. *Memorial Park – Four Corners - Rt. 434 & Front Street Band Gazebo, electricity, park benches, and free summer band concerts on Tuesdays at 7:00 PM. No parking. *Middendorf Park – Juneberry Road Picnic shelter, tables, grill, playground equipment, ball field, basketball court, running water, parking. *Richards Avenue Park – Richards Avenue Picnic shelter, tables, grill, playground equipment, no parking, running water. *Ross Corners Park – Old Owego Road Picnic shelter, tables, grill, playground equipment, tennis courts, ball field, soccer field, running water, parking, ice skating. *Stair Park – Murray Hill Road Picnic shelter, tables, playground equipment, running water, parking, electric. *Stratford Park – Stratford Drive Picnic shelter, tables, playground, running water, no parking. *Twin Orchards – Myrtle Street Picnic shelter, tables, playground, ball field, running water, soccer field and parking. *Vestal Center Park – Coleman Street Picnic shelter, playground equipment, tennis courts, ball field, basketball court, running water, ice-skating, parking. *Vestal Memorial Pool – Clayton Avenue Large outdoor pool & wading pool, rest rooms & changing area, electricity, running water, parking. *Willow Point Park – Gates Road Three softball fields. *Vestal Rail Trail - The trail is 2.1 miles long. It runs between North Main Street and African Road and is located just north of and parallel to the Vestal Parkway (Rt. 434). The trail has a twelve foot paved path and eight feet of grass on either side of the trail. Parking at Stage Rd. and on the east side of the Shoppes at Vestal. No restrooms. The trail has benches and dog waste facilities. <ref>[http://www.vestalny.com/page.aspx?pID=53&dID=20 Town of Vestal - Recreation<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The largest park in the area is Arnold Park located off of Bunn Hill Road. This park offers a newly constructed plastic playground for the little ones, multiple picnic areas for families to share a meal at, a sand volleyball court, a standard sized baseball field and three other large grassy areas for various other types of sports, as well as a nature trail through the wooded areas surrounding the park. In October, the Recreation Department holds a Halloween event at the park. Activities include a large hay maze, a haunted house, pumpkin painting, and more. Also, every summer in August, the Recreation Department puts on a family oriented picnic and summer festival. There are game areas for young children with candy prizes as well as small toys, there are multiple inflatable bounce houses, and ample food for all concerned. Other activities include face painting, a shaving cream pie throwing contest, a dunk tank, and the main attraction, a 50 foot long slip'n'slide down the side of a hill. Also held here are games from the Recreational Baseball league from the Vestal's Senior League (ages 12+) up through an adult STABL league which consists of mainly college students who are returning to play ball in the summer, and games from the Pee Wee Football league. Another busy attraction run by the Recreation Department is the Vestal Memorial Pool on Clayton Avenue off of Rt. 434. This large, 40x20 yard pool is ''the'' spot to cool off in a hurry. Admission is $1 for adults, 50¢ for children, Senior citizens are free, and yearly pool passes are available for purchase at the Rec. Department located at 516 Front Street in Vestal. There is a large main pool with water depth ranging from three feet deep in the shallow end, to 5'6" in the middle of the pool where there are lane markings for swimming laps, to 9' deep in the diving well which plays host to two diving boards. *Note: There are no flotation devices allowed in the main pool for safety reasons* In addition to the main pool, there is a wading pool for patrons who are 5 years and under. [http://www.vestalny.com/page.aspx?pID=70&dID=20 Vestal Rec. Dept. Pictures] Every summer in early August, there is a free water carnival where the pool area is jam packed with activities and patrons. Included are a raging rapids ride, where children are gently jostled by lifeguards in a rubber inner tube, a water balloon toss, a diving competition, a "car wash" station where a child's size structure constructed of PVC pipe is available for them to run through, a DJ for the day, Lifeguard Target practice, where patrons jump off of the diving boards and attempt to hit one of the lifeguards in a rubber inner tube with a soft water splash bomb, an obstacle course made up of rings and hoops to swim through and mats to jump over in the water, as well as the general favorite with the kids, a "walk on water" experience where the kids run out onto green wrestling mats on the water as if they were walking on the water itself. Occasionally, their progress is hindered by a little shaking of the mats from the lifeguards, just to make it fun. The day culminates with a greased watermelon competition between two teams, aided by the lifeguards. All 35 lifeguards are on staff for the entire event with multiple guards on first aid duty at all times, roving guards to ensure safety, and guards running every event, making sure everything runs smoothly, and making sure that everyone enjoys the day safely. ==Hamlets== The Town of Vestal recognizes five hamlets within its borders:<ref>"[http://www.vestalny.com/content/department/HistoryOfVestal.htm History of Vestal]", [http://www.vestalny.com Town of Vestal].</ref> *'''Ross Corners''' is named for David Ross, a prominent Lumberman who owned a store during much of the 19th Century in the west of the town. *'''Tracy Creek''' is named for Benjamin Tracy and is situated by a creek of the same name. It was originally a lumbering and farming community. It is also located in the western section of the town. *'''Twin Orchards''' is a hamlet on the south bank of the [[Susquehanna River]], named for the large orchards that used to border both sides of its main road. *'''Vestal Center''' is located on NY-26 at the intersection of County Road 53, on the Big Choconut Creek about four miles south of the main district, and approximately three miles north of the Pennsylvania State Line. It was originally spelled in English fashion ("Vestal Centre"), but this was changed in 1893. President [[Theodore Roosevelt]] once visited and gave a speech. *'''Willow Point''' is located east of Twin Orchards, also on the south bank of the Susquehanna River. ===Other locations=== *'''Castle Gardens''' -- On the shore of the Susquehanna River in the western section of the town. *'''Four Corners''' -- The town's center; refers to the intersection of Main St. and the Vestal Parkway. *'''South Vestal''' -- A hamlet in the southern part of the town on Route 26. *'''Stair Tract''' -- Two developments (Upper and Lower) on the Eastern edge of the town. *'''Vestal Hills''' -- A hamlet in the northeastern part of town, adjacent to [[Binghamton]]. ==References== {{reflist}} UST ==External links== * [http://www.vestalny.com Town of Vestal webpage]. * [http://history.rays-place.com/ny/vestal-ny.htm Early history of Vestal, NY] * [http://newweb.erh.noaa.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=bgm&gage=vstn6&view=1,1,1,1,1,1 Susquehanna River Level at Vestal, NY] {{coord|42.0841|-76.054167|display=title|format=dms}} {{Broome County, New York}} [[Category:Broome County, New York]] [[Category:Towns in New York]] [[Category:University towns in the United States]]