Economy’s devastating impact on a Staten Island institution has the approximately 150 acre Boy Scout camp pondering its sale. The stage is being set for historic fight over its survival. 

For many long time Staten Islanders, Pouch Camp  a unique part Staten Island’s idyllic past. Seeing the camp sold off would have many hearts hanging heavy and create strife among residents, civic organizations, and preservation groups whom will demand local politicians and the city to keep this camp in its natural state.

If Pouch Camp were sold, how is the land developable?

The 150 acre Pouch Camp  grounds sits in an R 1-1 zone, which is New York City’s most restrictive land use. It requires all homes built in this zone to have 100 ft. minimum lot widths and the land parcel no smaller than 9,500 square feet.  A homes front yard can be no smaller than 20 feet and rear yards 30 feet. However, there can be several other land use restrictions, most likely State Department of Environmental Protection regulations. The restrictive zoning would essentially make Pouch Camp  a luxury home community. Additionally, the property is surrounded by protected park land on three sides and hosts the well sized Lake Ohrbach. Consequently, the areas location would put a well sized premium on the Camp Pouch property.

A bit of history.

Boy Scouts of America are the owners of Pouch Camp property. Pouch Camp was named after William H. Pouch a well known business man and prominent scout, who in 1947 received Silver Buffalo Award, scouting’s highest commendation. Within Pouch Camp sits Lake Ohrbach, which was once ironically named Flagg Pond after Ernest Flagg, a well known New York Architect whose estate used to own the property. What’s so ironic is, Ernest Flagg was the architect behind New York’s New York’s, one time, tallest skyscraper, the Singer Building. The lake was renamed after Nathan Ohrbach, a prominent member of New York’s Scouting Community. (Photo Right) New York City’s Singer Building.
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Questions will likely be raised by local officials and civic leaders, concerning last month’s announcement that New York City is doling out $95.6 million dollars to fund the acquisition Coney Islands waterfront.
 
The fate of Pouch Camp is likely to be one of Staten Island’s most notorious land fights. The thrust will likely be focused on public funding. However, with New York City and State budgets deep in the red, it will be a challenge to see much in the way of public funding, if any, would be available. However, some may claim the City’s funding and acquisition of Coney Island’s waterfront, just last month, proves otherwise.

In light of that, some will likely question New York City’s publicly funded $95+ million dollar acquisition of 7 acre parcel on the Coney Island, Brooklyn waterfront. To go even further, according to a November 12, 2009 Real Deal article Mayor Mike Bloomberg stated that New York City is committing $150,000,000 city funded improvements to Coney Island. Now the question is, how will the City’s response to Pouch Camp’s fate play out among Staten Islanders knowing so much money was committed elsewhere?

Looking back on Pouch Camp.

Back some time ago, I had spent a few summers at the camp. The camp was known for many legends, none more infamous than Lake Orbach’s own version of the Loch Ness monster, I believe the name was Charlie, I maybe wrong here, its been awhile.  It was also known for its ominous Totem poles that stood at the camps entryway beyond the parking lot. The artwork seemed to scare some of the kids away, never mind the evil spirits. But part of the Camp Pouch experience was the dozens and dozens of stories and legends, some of which have been shared among generations.

This is New York City, and for most who reside outside of this town, few can imagine a place like Pouch Camp sits within the borders of this concrete jungle. The camp is only a couple dozen miles away from center one of the world’s largest city’s, however, if you spent a night camping there, it would seem hundreds of miles away. The camp is clearly one of New York City’s crown jewels.

Locals have already begun organizing efforts to save Pouch Camp.

Two eagle scouts  Brandon Linker and Alex Zablocki, a past candidate for Public Advocate, have been organizing much of the effort in saving the Camp.
A rally to save Pouch Camp will be organizing at Susan E. Wagner High School, 1200 Manor Road on Saturday, December 12th at 5 PM

Links

Facebook Page

Save Pouch Camp Website

Online petition to save Pouch Camp
Pouch Camp Website