With the grand opening of the nearly completed Upper Lake Redevelopment Project just days away, the Village of Tannersville has launched an effort to keep Canada geese—and their droppings—out of the revitalized park.
The redevelopment expands recreational space by roughly 6 to 8 acres, reviving a site that, in the late 19th century, drew visitors with amusement rides, gazebos, paddle boats and a boardwalk, as seen in vintage postcards.
Funded primarily through grants, the modern project includes a significant share of the $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative award the village received in 2021, secured through the efforts of then-Mayor Lee McGunnigle, Hunter Foundation Executive Director Sean Mahoney and others.
Deputy Mayor George Kelly spearheaded the geese-control initiative, saying it will require only “a few minutes a day” of ongoing maintenance. Earlier this week, he hired Hudson Valley Wild Goose Chasers, run by Peter Rizzo of New City, N.Y., at a cost of $500—paid for by Kelly.
“All it took was one phone call,” Kelly said.
Rizzo, who has trained dogs his entire life, arrived with two border collies — Sally and Tina — to patrol the lake. He said border collies have the “power of the eye,” which “puts a lot of fear in whatever they are working with” and allows them to control animals from a distance.
While a fully trained dog can cost about $15,000, Rizzo trains his collies using a standard whistle. “It’s incredible what these dogs can do,” he said, though they are challenging to train if the handler shows indecision. In business for 12 years, Rizzo manages about 80 accounts with six border collies and visits most sites daily. “It’s all about consistency and maintenance,” he said.
His three-step method: drive the geese into the water; if they land elsewhere on the same body, chase them again; then repeat a third time. He also uses a “bird bang” or “scream bang”—a starter pistol that sounds like a bottle rocket—to startle the birds. “The more you do it, the more the geese will learn to stay away,” Rizzo said.
Four days after Rizzo’s visit, Rip Van Winkle Lake had no geese.
The village has tried other deterrents, including six fake swans, infrared lights activated at night, and a fence set five feet from shore to discourage geese from walking onto land. Coyote cutouts are being used to deter the geese.
Canada geese, once established, return to their birthplace year after year. Their droppings, while a nuisance, are everywhere and can diminish the appeal of public spaces. Because the birds are federally protected migratory species, harming them outside of hunting season carries steep penalties.
Over the years, Upper Lake has seen many changes—frisbee golf, an arsenic removal building, lily pads, water chestnuts—and always, the geese. Some residents suggested culling, but Kelly opted for another approach, even asking on Facebook for residents to bring dogs to “politely harass” the birds. Rizzo warns that untrained dogs can injure or kill geese and should be leashed if brought to the park.
“This is not an insurmountable task,” Kelly said. “People have the right to walk in a park free from goose droppings. We are not a village that will euthanize these animals.”
Rizzo agreed: “Unless you pave this park over and drain the water, you’re going to have geese and other wildlife.”
In addition to goose control, Rizzo’s collies are trained to sniff out bedbugs. He said starting the business was difficult — “muscling my way into the competition” — but “the third year was my breakout year.” He now employs three or four people and runs 80 accounts.
Mayor McGunnigle praised the effort. “Kelly came through on this. It seemed to be extremely effective, and our village deserves to enjoy both the wildlife and the landscape,” he said. “Now that we know how to control the geese population, thanks to the wisdom imparted by Peter, I feel this park is going to be a grand slam for the entire village and visitors, too. It’s fantastic, and so much better than culling them.”
Rizzo’s visit comes just ahead of the $1.5 million Upper Lake Redevelopment Project’s grand opening, which will be celebrated with two days of festivities this Saturday and Sunday.
Max Oppen is a contributing reporter for The Overlook. You can reach him at reporting@theoverlooknews.com.