The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation has announced the creation of Three Falls State Park, a new 90-acre destination situated on the shores of Cayuga Lake, according to an article by Syracuse.com
Located in the heart of the Finger Lakes, the site features a half-mile of waterfront and three scenic waterfalls, including the 128-foot Frontenac Falls.
Trumansburg Mayor Rordan Hart described the project as a “once-in-a-century opportunity” to expand public land access along the lake. The park occupies the former site of Camp Barton, which was acquired in 2025 for $5 million from the Baden-Powell Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
Operational management will be handled by the Three Falls Local Development Corporation, a collaborative partnership between the Village of Trumansburg and the towns of Covert and Ulysses. “Land is finite. Waterfront land is rarer still,” remarked Ulysses Supervisor Katelin Olson.
Olson added that “what we’ve created here is a gift to generations we’ll never meet.” Covert Deputy Town Supervisor Deborah Nottke noted that the corporation will continue a “tradition of stewardship” to preserve the “hidden treasure” for future visitors.
A new four-phase conceptual development plan focuses on sustainability and accessibility while preserving the diverse ecology of the region.
Proposed infrastructure improvements include restored camp cabins, new docks, kayak launches, and a permanent parking area with more than 110 spaces.
Environmental stewardship remains a core component of the plan, with strategies in place to manage invasive Japanese knotweed and protect peregrine falcon nesting habitats.
State officials indicated that designs for renovations will prioritize universal accessibility to ensure equitable access to these outdoor spaces.
The site will also feature a nature center and environmental education spaces designed to encourage visitors to engage with the natural world through botany and geology.
The timing of these improvements will be determined following a final review of the draft plan and the availability of funding.
The development of Three Falls State Park is vital to the outdoor recreation industry as it converts restricted private acreage into public parkland, expanding regional capacity for high-demand activities like kayaking and hiking while providing a model for multi-municipal collaborative management.