As you might know, there are big things happening at Watkins Glen State Park! The Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to provide the following updates on behalf of our valued partners at Watkins Glen State Park.
Our beloved hometown park is undergoing a $6.5 million facelift to “transform the main entrance to Watkins Glen State Park. The project will relocate the parking area away from the gorge, creating a less congested and more welcoming approach to this leading Finger Lakes tourism destination. The main entrance parking lot will be returned to green space, creating new park amenities and enhanced interpretation of Watkin Glen’s unique natural and cultural history.”
Updates as of April 14, 2017:
- Construction is proceeding as expected and will not affect accessibility to the Gorge Trail, restrooms, or gift shop throughout the summer and fall season.
- There will still be guided walks offered along the Gorge Trail twice per day in-season in 2017.
- The Indian Trail is being stabilized. Restoration of that trail will take place with a future project.
- The Main Entrance to the Gorge Trail is expected to open on May 20. By this time, visitors can also expect to see the traffic light at the current Main Entrance to the park, removed and a new light installed at the intersection of Route 14/North Franklin Street and 10th Street.
- New crosswalks will be installed with signals to facilitate pedestrians and park visitors crossing the street at Route 14/North Franklin and 10th Street. Visitors and locals alike are reminded to use caution and stay aware as this new traffic/pedestrian pattern emerges.
- The majority of parking for the Main Entrance to the Gorge Trail (as well as to the Visitor Center, restrooms, and gift shop) will be in the 10th Street Parking lot. This lot will be “pay and display” and available no later than May 20. Visitors are encouraged to begin using it as soon as it opens.
- A relatively small number of parking spaces will remain on the park-side of Route 14/North Franklin Street but the entrance to this lot will be off of Pine Street, with the exit for this lot onto Route 14/North Franklin Street at the light aligned with 10th Street.
- Renovations to the restrooms will also be completed and ready for the May 20 opening date.
- Walls for the new Visitor Center are being poured as we speak and building will begin shortly thereafter. The Visitor Center will open in 2018.
- Later this fall, finish work will take place including trim, networking cables, sidewalks, and more.
- The majority of renovation work is expected to be finished the end of this year with finishing touches (such as landscaping) to come in 2018.
- Project costs associated with renovations are being funded by Governor Cuomo’s Parks 2020 initiative.
