The Berry Hill Fire Tower is near McDonough State Forest and Bowman Lake State Park. It is the only fire tower open for recreation on public lands in Central New York. In April of this year, the McDonough community experienced the theft of a donated sign, hand crafted and painted by local artist Ryan Warner. (Submitted photos)

by Sophia Root,

Commerce Chenango

MCDONOUGH - As Chenango County approaches peak leaf season, visitors and residents alike have the opportunity to experience both great sweeping views and community spirit. When looking for natural beauty and a strong community, look no further than McDonough, New York.

One of the highest points in Chenango County, Berry Hill Fire Tower stands at an elevation of 1960 feet and offers a unique recreational experience. The Berry Hill Fire Tower, the only one open for recreation on public lands in Central New York, provides a viewshed stretching across eight counties: Broome, Cortland, Delaware, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Otsego, and Tioga.

Fire towers have played a crucial role in New York State's history. For nearly a century, observers watched the forests from over 100 fire towers, reporting the first signs of fire to Forest Rangers. However, in the early 1970s, air surveillance began to replace these towers, leading to their gradual phase-out.

Thanks to volunteer-based initiatives and funding support, many of New York's fire towers, including the one in Chenango County, have been revived. In 2021, the Berry Hill Fire Tower reopened to the public after extensive renovations, supported by $125,000 from NY Public Works. Improvements include a new driveway, parking area, and picnic spot. The tower and observer's cabin were also updated with new windows, reinforced stairs, and fresh paint.

Visitors can access the tower year-round, as it is open to the public from sunrise to sunset. There is parking for about eight vehicles at the base of a 1,000-foot driveway leading to the tower. The New York State Chapter of the Forest Fire Lookout Association provides volunteers to maintain the site and educate visitors.

In April of this year, the McDonough community experienced the theft of a donated sign. Hand crafted and painted by local artist Ryan Warner, the sign was unbolted and stolen from its posts. This incident deeply affected the community, particularly those involved in town improvement projects. Tim O'Brien, a community volunteer, expressed his frustration on Facebook, emphasizing the effort that goes into such projects and the sense of community they represent.

Since then, progress has been made to replace the sign. Commerce Chenango has contributed funds, and Warner is working diligently to create a new sign. "Ryan (Warner) put a large project to the side to help McDonough get back a piece of what was stolen," O'Brien reported, adding that the new sign is expected to be completed within weeks.

The Berry Hill Fire Tower is near McDonough State Forest and Bowman Lake State Park. It is the only fire tower open for recreation on public lands in Central New York.

Chenango County stands as an example of natural beauty and community spirit.