9 Years Later Niagara Falls State Park Restoration Complete
A multi-year task has been completed with the ribbon cutting ceremony on the redesigned park entrance at Niagara Falls State Park Welcome Plaza. The landscape restoration was the final piece to the puzzle that began 9 years ago in 2011.
Niagara Falls Sate Park is the oldest park in the U.S. and the $6 million restoration project at the plaza is meant to create a smooth transition from the park to the downtown business district in the city of Niagara Falls. Governor Cuomo calls the falls, "a key part of the state's environmental Identity.
The completion of this revitalization plan strengthens this legacy while enhancing the region's tourism industry and I encourage all to discover this amazing park in New York State.
In addition to improving the transition from the park to downtown in hopes of creating more tourism, the renovation project's improvements also include:
- improvements to pedestrian and vehicular safety
- reduces traffic congestion with a redesign of the motor coach arrival area
- enhances visitor's experience with general landscaping upgrades
- clearer signage
- uniform park furnishings
- enhanced lighting
- improved pedestrian circulation
Welcome Center at Niagara Falls State Park
Welcome Center at Niagara Falls State Park transitions to downtown business district
The Welcome Plaza restoration was part of an overall $70 million upgrade to the park including improvements to viewing areas at Luna Island, Prospect Point, Lower Grove, Three Sisters Islands, North Shoreline Trail, Luna Bridge, and Terrapin Point. Features include; new pedestrian walkways, enhanced landscaping, new benches, light posts and railings. The plan also included the opening of the interactive Cave of the Winds pavilion, which highlights the history of Niagara Falls. It opened in 2017.
Take a walking tour of Niagara Falls through their mobile app in the video below. Get more info on the park attractions and hours on their website.