NAC 7681 N48 A52 CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY FINE ARTS LIBRARY CORNELL L UN] i RSITY LIBRARY mai St Cornell University The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www. archive.org/details/cu31924064887643 NEW YORK STATE PARKS POTSDAM eC) ° PLACES OF SCENIC, SCIENTIFIC ose AND HISTORIC INTEREST ji ——_—_ _ wITH ——— ‘nee PROPOSED DEVELOPMENTS TOWARD A : ae COMPREHENSIVE AND UNIFIED STATE PARK SYSTEM 1 ee e-? \ YE sr. LAWRENCE RES. ‘ 193 ACRES ro? ‘ RP \ © ANTWE! noe 3 ¢g 0 10 20 30 MILES ae (uence —————~ fears! ie , 5 é TOTAL Proposed developments indicated in Red errr MOF PA ° ° \ 33/3, 56 WATERTOWN 1 H 4 ' OLOWVILLE ‘ d a 1 ' \ OPULASKI ‘ Spy sland \ ALDER O* Montcalin Park ones H OsweGo ae Pete Ox Curtiss Game Pres. Fr. NIAGARA Oe as. P] fort brewerton weue PARK 200 4c ° NIAGARA FALLS ° STATE RES. 21240. ROCHESTER ONEIDA °* Ssveacuse xo UTICA Li i trenango AA CL or Va falls Res. Her 2 eeneeh AuauaN FES. 25040 /ton Fr. PORTER. FALLS ~ Squaw ° Ns BUFFALO Kien ( RED IACKE: y : A f GREAT \\& s WARSAW SN auuer \\ £ 3 SA A EARE HILL FILLMORE “( S < BIRTHPLACE fe) = Ry PEN NAN 3 Ee COOPERS < CORTLAND LETCHWORTH x fe) PARA 1000 4¢ BLUFF ~ POINT = TOYA NGO 7 EONT, fy 2 ITHACA a i 6 ny 4 CONM HILL fe) z U7 TERMILA FALLS 5 GLEN HORNELL WATAINS ENFIELD. tS eS , ° 8 2. GLEN 103 4c. % MONTOUR GLEN & DEL J CHEQUAGA FALLS = 5 CUBA LAKE RES. ~~ SALAMANCA CORNING “A ° BINGHAMTON 2 ALLEGANY ELMIRA cweGo in JAMESTOWN GY a -- = ame STATE PARK ie Newfown battlefield é 16 ACRES PURCHASE AREA 65,000 Ac. ACQUIRED AREA 8,500 Ac. p EX/ST/ING _PARAS INDEX 1-3 ADIRONDACK PARK 4, 932, 500 Ac 57 ALLEGANY UA fae PARK 8,500 ~ LZ z --S BENNINGTON BATTLEFIELD 47/4 S39 BRONX “ESTES PARKWAY 4300 ~- 46 CATSKILL PAR, 138,200 + ge ATION 250 + CLINTO: NW HOUSE CHITTENANGO FAL CUBA LAKE GESEAVATION 500 + OWN POINT CURTISS GAME PRESERVE s Ry z N NS io & 335 y Sh EE BY SS NI g w& & N G -5 HERKIMER HOMESTEAD Oy, BROWNS FARM HINSON MANSION Lane. GEORGE BATTLEFIELD 35° LESTER PARK 30 ETCHWORTH ee 4000 « IONTCALM PAR) “8 LING LAKE BES ERVATION. Z 10g bs £7 NEWTOWN BATTLEFIELD JERSEY MSHOSSAST SS DSDNA 29S NG SAD GAANGAUAA SHA WADE S Ly G ~ SS N ds: [°} LS N i EVELT MEMORIAL PARK E PARKWAY PATCHOGUE [o} NEW Kae CITY MINEOLA NEW GA PAE HONUENT 4 E 5 orien MANSION. 4 SPY 1. le 5 $caRKE HO Nc (O08 40 2 32 LAWRENCE: RESERVATION /81* 8 TAD eee ELD 34 s ORLA & = 5 -B FIRE ISLAND 0 © STATE PARK 118 ACRES LONG ISLAND ‘NV . WASHINGTON HEADQUARTERS = { AND KNOX HEA. DOU ERS } ® G H — ——————— MALONE ° POTSDAM °o 2 1 -1 poor? it ‘ / - ee (ae \ SARANAC : 1 LAKE x Sohn Browns ‘arm SH 4 1 ° 1} 1 ELABETHCOWN © ANTWERP FH \ or ADIRONDACK 4 ray TOTAL AREA PRESENT AREA OF + CARTHAGE OF PARK STATE OWNED LANDS r *Cromn 33/3, 564 ACRES 1, 992, 500 ACRES 4 Port o WATERTOWN O LOWVILLE "777 a PULASKI “ HALL 4 Sey /sand 7 oe eee | DE! € G60, ‘ 6% Montcalm Park CaEER ‘ * atthe refF she | > OSWEGO ? | ee 7; _ GLENS FALLS | pee ON x Curtiss Game Pres. } | ‘LAND ®™ fort brewerton paes iD E 2 Jette: x Grant Cottage : PARA 200 4c ° Park 3 a _] Saratoga baftie Mont Starks Knoh 24: ONEIDA : SARATOGA ce Qsvracuse : uTita LITTLE FALLS STATE RES. SARATOGA: SE: fc) "— -& Ohftfenango Ox JOHNSTOWN = Ke A Johrrson ®O ctARnh Tals hes: Herkumér ght » Guy Park House | ee ‘aa eee = + Bennington Batteries S71 At. SCHNECTADY Troy }—- THATCHER wad PAPA 389 4c of yler Metts 10/7 COOPERSTOWN ALBANY CORTLAND ; ° Y = ONEONTA x (Fa) : N WB Ars Fas 5 GLEN & LNFIELD FALLS fES- a & De = MONT DUE ELEN 5 DELHI HUDSON = = CHEQUMEA FALLS ° (e) CORNING ° en owscs BINGHAMTON TR/I-STATE 7) A fe) Po oa fy ee \ » se Sa ==—S = ALS oad Cond eRGERBEE? TO PATE SHEET HIGHLAND LAKE The park has been developed with the sole object of making it accessible and usable for the people. Great care has been taken to preserve and enhance its natural beauties and all arti- ficial adornment has been avoided. Only such buildings have been erected as were considered necessary for the comfort of visitors and proper housing of the organization. Roads, paths, trails, lakes, docks, beaches, water and sani- tary systems, playgrounds, picnic groves, boats, pavilions, shel- ters, camps and ice houses have been built, and restaurants, ete rooms and steamer and automobile transportation pro- vided. Much forestry work has been done and from the dead timber secured in this work has been sawed practically all the lnmber used in the buildings. More than 5,000,000 young trees and many native shrubs have been planted, also nut trees and a great variety of berry-bearing shrubs have been planted to in- crease the food supply of the birds, and native wild flowers and flowering shrubs are being planted and fostered. : Several of the lakes and streams have been stocked .ith game and pan fish and other varieties planted for their food and for the control of mosquitoes. There are few places in the world that offer more oppor- tunity for biological study than this park. The Commission procured a herd of elk from the Yellowstone and placed them within the park under enclosure. The herd is doing well and SEVEN LAKES DRIVE SEVEN LAKES DRIVE 19 BEAR MOUNTAIN PLAYGROUND increasing year by year. The native deer are increasing rapidly and there are several hundred in the park. The Commission also procured a number of beaver from the Adirondacks, which are doing well and have made themselves very much at home in the park. The black bears have returned and their tracks are plainly marked upon the snow-laden ground during the winter months. The Bear Mountain Inn, described as ‘‘ A heap of boulders and huge chestnut logs assembled at the base of Bear Moun- tain by the hand of man, yet following the lines of such natural proportions as to resemble the eternal hills themselves,’’ has been established by the Commission with the idea of supply- ing visitors to the park and camping parties with the best food at reasonable prices. In this building are refrigerating plant, bakery, bottling plant, ice cream plant, laundry and storerooms, from which the several small lunch stands throughout the park are also supplied. The Commission operates two large river steamers, the ‘* Clermont,’’ which carries three thousand passengers, and the ‘‘ Onteora,’’? which carries two thousand. During the season these steamers make daily trips between New York City, Jersey City and Bear Mountain. The fares charged are as low as pos- sible, with the idea of yielding only expenses of operation and maintenance. These steamers have been especially refitted for this service and in accommodation and comfort compare favor- ably with the best river boats. Music and space for dancing STORM KING SECTION, HENRY HUDSON DRIVE WINTER WOODS PARK OMNIBUSES is provided and the number carried so limited that there is no crowding and all can move about with comfort. Forty large sight-seeing motor omnibuses carry visitors at lowest possible rates from the boat landings to the Inn and playground and on longer trips over the park drives through the mountains and valleys, along the beautiful streams and lake shores, which make this section so charming. These trips are so arranged that visitors may see as much of the park as pos- sible and return in time for the steamers. Special arrangements are made to care for the campers and their equipment, thou- sands of them being transported each week from the city direct to the camps. One of the major activities of the Commission is to provide camping facilities for social organizations, so that those with little or no opportunity to get a wholesome vacation may be brought under the most favorable auspices to the mountains and lakes of the park. On the most pictureque lakes of the park, standard mess and play pavilions, sleeping cabins, dependable water and sanitary facilities, all constructed so as to harmonize with their natural surroundings, are made available. These camp plants are rented on an annual tenure to acceptable or- ganizations at a rate dependent upon the size and accommo- dation. A later development of the Commission has been the building of camps for the use of employees of large industrial organizations. The Commission thereby enables these organi- BEAVER ELK 21 SWIMMING MEET zations to take care of a greater number of their employees in summer vacation welfare camps. Some of these camps are also maintained throughout the year. Any acceptable organized group of families is provided for in a like manner with com- plete camps for each group. Cooked food, based on a dietary formulated by experts on child care, is sent in heat-retaining receptacles from Bear Moun- tain Inn to the camps, making unnecessary a food manufac- turing establishment at each camp. Food, of substantial quan- tity and of uniform quality, is thereby made available at a cost below that of cooking at camp. Marked trails for hiking expeditions to points of historic and natural interest are extensively used by all the outdoor organizations and these organizations have rendered splendid assistance in the clearing and marking of these trails. The campers also use them for one-day and over-night hikes. Camps for individuals and families are maintained at Alpine, in the New Jersey section of the park; at Hook Mountain, in the New York section of the park and at Queensboro, three miles inland from Bear Mountain. The attendance, during the season of 1922, shows an increase of about 25 per cent. over the attendance of last season. A total TYPICAL CAMPS TYPICAL CAMPS AT SUMMIT LAKE of 3,000,000 persons visited the New York section of the park this season. In excess of the 50,000 group campers, which com- prised 86 different groups, there were 3,000 individual campers under canvas. The park areas which the Commission have developed are being so intensively used that it is imperative that other avail- able areas be developed as rapidly as possible. The number of daily visitors at Bear Mountain this season so congested the docks, picnic groves, playfields, pavilions, roads, parking spaces and other facilities that other develop- ments of this kind must be made to meet the public demands for this type of recreation. The automobile traffic has grown so rapidly and the present drives are so congested that much progress must be made to- ward the completion of the road system of the park within a very few years to relieve this condition. The parking spaces along the present drives are inadequate to meet the present demand and motor picnickers are compelled to use these areas not yet provided with sanitary facilities o1 proper fire protection and so are greatly increasing the fire GIRL SCOUTS WATER GYMKANA hazard and endangering the health of all visitors and campers. It is imperative that many more parking and picnic places be provided each year and equipped with proper facilities. The use of the trails by both trampers and campers has in- creased until more trails must be built, marked and provided with shelters and sanitary facilities. The camping of both individual and group type has de- veloped so rapidly that practically all the available lakes are used to their capacity and the insistent and increasing demands for more of these camps make it necessary to construct addi- tional lakes for this purpose. The forestry work already done shows such splendid results that the Commission feels warranted in continuing the program outlined for this work and recognizes the necessity of protect- ing and improving the great young deciduous forests which cover so much of the park as well as continuing the planting of conifers. The great increase in visitors to all sections of the park and particularly the overflow of these visitors into the undeveloped sections make it necessary to provide greatly increased sanitary facilities and careful protection of the many water supplies. The opening this year of a new section of the Henry Hudson Drive, the spectacular Storm King Road, and the tremendous motor travel which has developed over it, make it necessary to develop the section of the park north of West Point which has recently been presented to the Commission. The Hook Mountain section, which embraces that portion of the Palisades Ridge lying between Nyack and Haverstraw, is undeveloped, save for one small area near Nyack. This is one of the most beautiful sections of the entire park and the Com- mission has worked out extensive and careful plans for open- ing up this area. The Hook Mountain section of the Henry Hudson Drive will traverse this entire section and complete that magnificent drive- way. There are opportunities for the development of many playfields, picnic groves, bathing beaches and large camping v7} , " AT LAKE STAHAHE areas, and these developments will relieve the increasing con- gestion at Bear Mountain from the one-day excursionists. The plans for the above outlined developments have been worked out very carefully by the Commission, and within the period of seven years beginning in 1924, will require the follow- ing expenditures: For the construction of drives and trails........ ccc c ccc cee $930,000.00 For the construction of seven new lake8........, ccc eee cece 465,000.00 For the construction of new docks in the undeveloped sections of the park along the river front and the improvement of this GEVET: SPONGE. cosscere.'s nse Src. 4 evan teilass ies aide w a's line ohn ce: abaaee & aang aoe ANI 175,000.00 For the construction of shelters and bath houses in these present UNGEVELOPE” NCW GAVEAS.... ccc cccciacavcaccuccvccsccvceees 233,000.00 For the construction of the necessary sanitary facilities and water supplies of the new areas and the new lakes......... 110,000.00 For the clearing, development and construction of new playfields, camp sites, picnic spaces and parking spaces along the old and the proposed drives and around the new lakes........ 160,000.00 For forestry work, fish and game conservation in present unde- MELODED: QTEDS: 6 60 since sieves 0 0 toe nin erases eh rina} eplane Sb} gia ea Be 114,000.00 For new bathing Deaches.... 6.0 cece cece eee c eens eeeatceee 10,000.00 For the clearing and restoration of the historic fort sites within 5 ENE POTN, 4 wisge es sco 05 2S 93 RE BG BEETS eile SOE Baud 98 Rees be Acs 10,000.00 For the acquisition of a number of parcels of land within the present NOlMingS ..... ccc ccc cece cece ence tenet ence seneeees 747,000.00 For the completion and paving of 39 miles of drives already con- SETUCTED. cess em 6s ONS HS ERE ae PEE EERE Hee e es eee ea 960,000.00 In addition to these sums much must be spent in the construc- tion of new camp buildings, restaurants and other structures used by the operating department, which will be erected by con- tributed and operating funds, as such structures have been financed in the past. It is impossible to convey in this limited space a definite idea of either the development or use of this park. The attendance in the park has increased from a few thousand in 1914 to one which it is impractical to count, save at a few points. This year such a partial count showed more than 4,000,000 before October 1st. The fact that there are more than ten million people who ean reach the park within two hours’ motor or boat ride, will convey an even better idea of its value to the great mass of humanity in the metropolitan district. ; 25 Il. PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT OF THE ALLEGANY STATE PARK—A NEW FOREST AND STREAM PLAY- GROUND FOR WESTERN NEW YORK SUBMITTED BY THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE ALLEGANY STATE PARK Present Conditions in the Allegany State Park Until the creation of the Allegany State Park purchase area by legislative act of 1921, there was lacking in western New York an immediate future prospect of a large public forest recrea- tional area such as had been provided the people of eastern New York. That the state by its act was meeting a tremendously popular demand for a wilderness playground for the 1,700,000 people who reside within 100 miles of the new park, has been demonstrated by the crowds of people who have swarmed into the park the past two seasons. While the state has made a be- ginning in providing a large forest park for the people of west- ern New York, it is merely a beginning. For the legislative act set aside an area in which land may be purchased. Thus far, however, small appropriations have limited land acquisitions, while meager funds for development work have permitted only inadequate facilities. Conséquently we have thousands of yeo- ple going into the park area who can not yet be accommodated by public provisions for their health and happiness. They are, therefore, forced in some cases to trespass upon private lands, and in other cases to use the park under great handicaps. This New Wilderness Playground Greatly Needed by Western New York The vast importance to the public welfare of having a large park of forests, hills and streams in western New York is brought out by the fact that the Allegany State Park was the only new conservation project recognized by the legislature in 1921 in a year of strict economy. The state may be excused, while on a program of economy, for not providing out of current revenues for more than a beginning in its new western play- ground, but it cannot fail to recognize the public need of pro- viding by a bond issue for the thousands of people from all parts of western New York who have gone to the park in search of wholesome recreation and opportunities for nature study. 26 THE PARK IS ONE OF HILLS, FORESTS AND STREAMS A Scenic Region Serving as New York’s Gateway to a Large National Forest The character of the area set aside for acquisition for the future park is wonderfully well suited to the purposes of pub- lic use. It is about 65,000 acres in extent. It is made up of ridges and valleys. The slopes and tops of these ridges are covered with a luxuriant forest, the valleys contain fast-flowing streams where trout are in abundance. The land is well drained. There are countless springs of pure, cold water through the region. The climate is very mild and attractive, both in sum- mer and winter. The region is one of great scenic beauty. The highest points overlook the surrounding region for nearly 100 miles. Excellent highways lead to the area from all directions. The present roads in the park, however, are narrow and of small extent, having been old logging roads. One of the most valuable attributes of the park area is its fortunate location with reference to the new Allegheny National Forest. This Federal forest preserve is in the section of Pennsylvania just south of the park. It will be the largest government preserve in the East. The Allegheny National Forest Purchase tract has an area of 1,000,000 acres authorized by Federal agencies. The Allegany State Park will be New York State’s gateway to this magnificent national forest. Already arrangements have been made to have the road and trail system of the park tie into the road and trail system of the national forest. The value to the people of the entire State of New York in 27 TENT CAMPS ARE LOCATED AT FREQUENT INTERVALS having a gateway park to this extensive national forest cannot be overemphasized. It will permit of large opportunities for hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, automobiling and ali other forms of recreation for which the forest preserves of the west have become justly famous. The people of New York can at present go into the Allegany State Park only for a short dis- tance over a dusty, hazardous road and must turn about and retrace their steps to the main public highways after visiting the limited area the commission has thus far been permitted to develop. Eatensive Uses Overtaxm the Present Facilities The present condition of the park is regrettable because multitudes of people have to congregate in masses in the re- stricted area which has been provided for them. They do not secure the opportunity for a relief from the congested surround- ings which they have come to the park to avoid. These coudi- tions would have been more deplorable if the Commissioners: of the park had not secured some help from the national govern- ment which recognized the value of the undertaking by donat- ing nearly $500,000 worth of surplus war material. This equin- ment has been used to a small extent for temporary camps and all of it is available for use m permanent betterments as soon as funds for this purpose can be secured. This Park Area Has Large Economic Possibilities This park area is a valuable asset not only for recreational service to the public, but also because of its vast economic value 28 to the entire state. The property within the purchase area is now nearly wholly owned by private interests. These owners are in many cases cutting the timber for chemical wood pur- poses. This sort of cutting leaves the land completely denuded. The soil left in this condition rapidly erodes after rains and the melting of snow in the springtime. The ground dries out quickly during summer and autumn. The streams are affected and sometimes completely dry up. The region is subjected to a very great fire hazard. All of this needs changing through public ownership. When this is effected the region will be capable of producing an income through the use of its resources which will make the park self-supporting. Proposed Developments in the Allegany State Park In carrying out the provisions of the Allegany State Park law the commissioners have been confronted with an interest- ing problem. In substance, the state has asked the park com- missioners to acquire, in the name of the state, an area of 65,900 acres. While doing this facilities must be provided for the use and enjoyment of the public. A Carefully Made Program Prepared for Park Development In order to have a well-considered program in executing the public charge that had been entrusted to them, the commission- ers secured the co-operation of the New York State College of Forestry in the preparation of a preliminary plan for the de- velopment of the resources of the park area. This plan has furnished the working basis for the activities of the Commis- sion. It embraces the essential requirements in making the park of the utmost use to the public. These needs may be gen- erally stated, in addition to land acquisition, as consisting of the following: roads and trails, fire protection, administrative sites, camping sites, water supply and sanitation, water areas for fish propagation and recreation uses, shelters and observa- tion towers. General Needs of the Park The experience of the Commission has shown that the funds required for the four outstanding needs in developing the park are as follows: 1. Acquisition of additional lands............. $1,200,000 2. Construction of roads and trails as a system throughout the park area..............4: 600,000 3. Development of water areas for fishing, canoe- ing, boating, swimming and camping...... 100,000 4. Provision of other permanent betterments, such as administrative buildings, camps, fire protection, water supply and sanitation 100,000 Total, osccctea ins Ge geeks kee $2,000,000 ke pis CAMPS ARE PROVIDED FOR PUBLIC USE SENECA INDIANS FROM NEIGHBORING RESERVATION IN WAR DANCE Detailed Statement of Needs We may emphasize these needs by an outline of their im- portance. 1. Acquisition of Additional Lands. It has been the ex- perience of all state park projects in New York that the acquisi- tion of land is the most pressing, important duty of the state. This is especially true of the Allegany State Park. Little land has thus far been acquired within the park boundaries. With- out extensive space made available to the public the park will fail to satisfy the purposes for which it has been created. The Allegany State Park is well suited to serve the large population of western New York as a wilderness playground. No other similar area is available. In order to fulfill its purposes, land acquisition by the state must be speedily pushed forward. The land is of greater value for public park purposes than for any other use. If land is acquired at present market prices the state will make an excellent investment. It has been carefully esti- mated that the sum of $1,200,000 made available to the com- mission for land acquisition over a period of seven years will purchase at present prices about 40,000 acres of land. It is conservative to estimate that the same program of land acquisi- tion ten years hence would cost the state at least twice this amount. The reasons for land acquisition in the Allegany State Park may be stated summarily as follows: a. The present area acquired is very small. b. Present land prices are low. c. People are demanding extensive space for public use. d. The park purchase area is the only available territory 7 a forest and stream playground for western New ork. 2. A Road and Trail System for the Park Area. After land is acquired by the state in the park purchase area the people must be permitted to circulate freely through it in order to en- joy its use. The Commission has already graded some narrow, rough dirt roads through the public property and, by permis- sion, over some of the privately owned lands. There are no im- proved roads at the present time in the park area. The public 30 BENEFITING PoPuLATION as ALLEGANY STATE Park se = EE Y.;. Ro a ap EACH DOT REPRESENTS ONE THOUSAND PEOPLE must, therefore, use hazardous, dusty roads in reaching the developed section of the park. A complete road system has been planned for the park. This system will open the entire resources of the park area to the pe It consists of one main road and several secondary roads. The main road will direct the bulk of the travel along a line which extends through as great a variety of conditions in the park as possible. Along this main road will naturally be de- veloped the intensive uses of the park. After careful study it has been decided that the best location for this principal thoroughfare is along the line shown on the plan for the park. This road approaches the park from the two logical points of entrance—Salamanca and Quaker Bridge. From the former point the road soon reaches the northern end of the chief ndge in the park, the top of which it follows. At frequent points along the route of this proposed road fascinating, extensive views of the surrounding country appear. At two points along this route observation stations are suggested. One of these will be a roadside observatory, the other will be a fire lookout, which is suggested for the highest known point in the park and which will be attainable from the main road by short travel on a side trail. At a section along the southern boundary of the park this proposed road arrives at a broad, level highland. 31 - ~pagojaaap u2aq aavy S240 QOS InogD pun padinboo us0qQ aapYy $2490 00'S yo1ya fo ‘sa4s0 000‘s9 2 sasodind yang 40g apisp 4as DaAD aspyoand . —S¥aNOISSINWOD— Wav AWLS ANVDATTY ae AaSANID NWId 4OMNOW apr Pay free an This proposed main thoroughfare in the park is named the ‘* Ridge Ruu Road.’’ It will be located for a distance of about ten miles along the crest of a ridge. Also for about ten miles the road will be in an open valley or ‘‘ run,’’ the local name for a valley. In both the ridge region and the open valley country the road will possess great scenic attractiveness. Along the ridge there is no point where the roadway drops to an elevation of less than 2,200 feet above sea level. The roadway will wind from one side of the crest to the other with constantly chang- ing vistas of the surrounding country. It will be the longest scenic, high elevation road in the eastern United States. The secondary roads will in most cases be developed by using the present rough logging roads in the park area. There will be a few sections which will require new roads to make available the regions that otherwise would be beyond reach. The distance which the proposed main road covers is approxi- mately 25 miles. The extent of the proposed secondary roads is about 60 miles. The cost of construction of these roads which are at present required for the use of the park and the extension of the system that will be demanded the next few years has been estimated at $600,000. 3. Development of Water Arcas. The recreational activi- ties which are made available through water areas of fair size within a park are always popular with park users. The total absence of lakes and ponds within the Allegany State Park pur- chase area necessitates the creating of a few artificial bodies of water. There is one location shown on the plan where the largest artificial lake could be created with the least cost. bie ora sok KewaoeReRoesE Nets 28,619 WHed eeu nase Reng ene er ueiaeets 16,641 =TClUn hd |: eee ere Seer ee Te 13,098 otal vsios mer enaewweteteges 1,691,569 Submitted by ALBERT T. FANCHER, Chairman. CHAUNCEY J. HAMLIN FreD G. KAISER Grorce C. DIEHL HAMILTON WARD Commissioners of the Allegany State Park. Henry R. Francis, Lvecutive Secretary. 35 IV. PLAN TO ENLARGE THE STATE RESERVATION AT NIAGARA AND ESTABLISH THE NEW YORK STATE MEMORIAL RIVERWAYS AND RESERVES A wonderful opportunity is presented by the plan for ex- tending the New York State Reservation at Niagara from its present limits to Fort Niagara and Lake Ontario in one direct- tion, and to the city of Buffalo and Lake Erie in the other direc- tion. This would take in the whole of the river roads on the American side, as similar roads have been incorporated in the Canadian Reservation, and by the creation of occasional small parks or reserves and lookout points along the river, it would afford unlimited opportunities for the erection of special me- morials to our soldiers and sailors of the World War. This is a project which interests not only the people of west- ern New York but the whole state and indeed the nation, and our Canadian neighbors and foreign visitors as well. Niagara Falls is probably the most widely known place in the United States, and more generally visited by tourists than any other single attraction. The movement for the rescue of Niagara Falls from the hands of those who were spoiling its natural beauties began over 40 years ago. As a result of an international impulse, it was taken up and advocated by leading men from all over this country and from Canada. The movement took concrete form on the two sides of the river almost simultaneously, but the Canadians had an easier job and more favorable conditions, and they have already carried their Queen Victoria Park and the improved highways leading out of it to the limits of the river in each direction. On the New York side the first move was more difficult and far more expensive, and the New York State Reservation at Niagara has never been extended beyond its first limits. Tt includes Goat Island with Green Island and the other small isles surrounding it; also Prospect Park at the brink of the American Falls, and from that point extends in a narrow strip along the upper rapids to the intake of the Hydraulic Power Canal. This property originally cost the state of New York in 1885 about $1,433,000, a very large sum for those days. Qb- stacles apparentlv insurperable have always prevented the fur- ther extension of the reservation either down or up the river. But plans are now presented through which much may be ac- complished. 36 A memorial to our soldiers and sailors of this character would attain world wide fame; and if, following this, the two reservations along the Niagara river, American and Canadian, can be united by a great memorial bridge, the grand project would seem to be complete. The principal features of this plan, so far as developed by the Commissioners of the State Reservation at Niagara are shown in an act introduced in the legislature in 1921 and pre- viously. This act provided for the financing of the project by means of an annual charge or rental imposed on new water power NIAGARA FALLS developed at Niagara Falls since 1918. The same objects could be attained more rapidly by means of a bond issue, followed by direct appropriations. The plan in brief is to enlarge the State Reservation at Niagara and to create and add to it a system of memorial river- ways and reserves, extending along the Niagara river from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario, and connecting Port Porter with Fort Niagara, consisting of parks and public places reserved because of their beauty and commanding position for the free use of the public, connected by north and south memorial river- ways and with suitable structures thereon, all of which shall 37 Proposed Enlargment of State Reservation at Niagara and Establishment oF New York State Memorial River Ways and Reserves LAKE ONTAR/O FT. NIAGARA: 'UNGSTOWN — LEWISTON IAGAR® FALLS NORTH ONAWANDA BUFFALO [— @ 3 (ae LAKE ERS £ Proposed extensions of State Reservation Indicated in Red. 38 constitute a permanent and fitting memorial. The proposed ex- tension of the state reservation is to be known as the New York State Memorial Riverways and Reserves, the road northerly to Fort Niagara being ‘‘ North Memorial Riverway,’’ and the road southerly towards Buffalo, ‘‘ South Memorial Riverway.’’ The commissioners of the state reservation at Niagara would be authorized and directed to make plans and procure surveys and to take necessary steps to extend the state reservation as described, excepting lands in the cities of Tonawanda and North Tonawanda, it being the idea that the connecting roadway through those cities should be handled by the cities themselves under plans agreed upon. The commissioners would be authorized to take over in whole or in part the present river road extending from end to end of the Niagara river and generally close to the bank thereof, and they would have power to widen said roads and change the loca- tion thereof, or to provide an additional road or roads nearer to the river bank, where necessary or desirable, and for this purpose they would seek and obtain the co-operation of the cities and villages through which said roads pass. The present roads so included, except within these cities, would become part of the State Reservation at Niagara, and would be designated as state highways and constructed and maintained as other state highways are constructed and maintained, but the commissioners would have authority to protect and beautify these roads and to preserve them in all parts as beautiful parkways or riverways. The commissioners would also have the power to acquire tracts of land, of greater or less extent, of natural beauty and commanding position, lying between the main river roads and the bank of the Niagara River, or adjacent to river roads on either side, to be used as public parks and reserves, to be planted with trees and shrubs where this is necessary and restored to a state of natural beauty, with interior roads furnishing access to the bank of the river and to viewpoints over the waters of the river. They would select for this purpose suitable tracts of reasonable size, where the land can be acquired without cost or on reasonable terms. The interior roads through such re- serves would be built, maintained and controlled entirely by the Commissioners of the State Reservation at Niagara. . - So.-far..as yet planned, it is the intention of the commis- sioners to be modest in acquiring land for these purposes, and not to be hurried, but to pick up suitable tracts of lands as they can advantageously be acquired and developed. Ideas at this moment do not go beyond one or two locations for reserves be- tween Buffalo and Niagara Falls, probably two reserves be tween Prospect Park in Niagara Falls and Lewiston, and about two more between Lewiston and Fort Niagara. : Under the plan the commissioners would be authorized to acquire land for all such purposes, including changes in the 39 THE FALLS IN WINTER main roads, where necessary or desirable, either by gifts or grants or by conveyances, or by leases in perpetuity or for a term of years, or by licenses and also to acquire by condemna- tion any land not devoted to railroad or power uses, and not held or intended for such uses. All titles to such land, and all leases and licenses, would be taken in the name of the State of New York. In the original plan presented to the legislature, it was hoped to obtain not exceeding $500,000 from the state by direct ap- propriations over several years, and a sum of about $80,000 a year through a charge on water power. In the bill as last amended, there was provision for a very small initial appropria- tion, only to cover surveys and some preliminary expenses, and a pledge of additional sums up to $200,000 from the state, in addition to the annual charge on water power. It is anticipated that the project would require approximately $1,000,000 avail- able over a period of about seven to ten years, for extensions and permanent betterments. There is reason to hope that the measure in its essential form will commend itself to the people of the state in the near future, with proper provision for the gradual improvement of this fron- tier; and thus will be started a great plan of regional develop- ment along the Niagara River of which we shall all be proud, and an imperishable memorial to our soldiers and sailors will be created. 40 ON pale oS 2, ey Ook 5 a 9 Of" ' aT, gO BT ie OC) By WORTY e 88 MS | ni x lei f) o G a ° 9 g} oe oO ? eq ° a te ae 0%, aoe Ba 5 e ae CHESTNUT LAWN F.DAVIS BSP 26.020, o 2399 020% 80 Bho, 08.9% 6° 9. T VAR @' ney malay FR aa ie 0 PS — = WER Ay CRE se SY ae ¥ oO x 3 . f e5 G8 & poses $5.2 20S: ay i y ’ a - 3857 : Soe Ore eee fi LY? 3959, Se TR 3 Laie Pus, e3 WSS 8088 GG OGLA BARRACKS AND / | mu 403 aor e iy 3 2. J Sos 2 9 Pod, oes” DAL. Grounos (7 fon W282 52 50%, Bq Gm 9 WAR OF ats 1 | ner WP S07? BS 0 Soda5 fog : F999 O° og 82a S90 a | ; AeBcrvos Bos 80 g | SF 209550 S0%r0 Pondoan 8 8 $079 9 ad 25Gn45 295° = | 128 00 PY SooPaqa,> 9e50° 99900 9% 40 Pag ead. F0 QO) 2 270 3,7 0° 5% 30.55% 8 0 808 | 90g PSPSPS Sores se MAP OF 1. Glen Iris 2. Museum 3. Path from Museum to Council House Grounds 4. Indian Council House 5. Mary Jemison Statue 6. Mary Jemison Cabin 7. Picnic Grounds : 8. apne comtort Station > 9. Path to Mineral Spring « 10. Turning Place F PORTAGE. NUNDA- ROCHESTER 11. Stairway and Path at Railway Bridge Ley STATE HIGHWAY WO.5272. 12, Rustic Station 13. James Hall Tablet 14, Soldiers’ Monument 15, Superintendent’s Residence 16. Letchworth Park Nursery 17, Memorial Tablet at Inspiration Point 18. Cole's Cliff 19, Path from Inspiration Point to Lower Falls 20. Shelter at Lower Falls 21. Path into Gorge at Lower Falls 22, col Tree Inn 23, Garage, PROPOSED . Suns ct 24. Swimming and Wading Pools DEVELOPMENTS 25. Bath House 26, 27, 28. New Roads and Bridge V. LETCHWORTH PARK AND ITS PROPOSED DEVELOP MENT The Present Park _ Letchworth Park is a tract of 1,000 acres on the Genesee river, about fifty miles south of Rochester, which was given tc the state in 1907 by the late Dr. William Pryor Letchworth, the philanthropist, and is by law in the custody of the Amer- ican Scenie and Historic Preservation Society. It lies on both sides of the river for the distance of about three miles and in- cludes a picturesque eroded gorge and the three famous Portage Falls. The scenery ranks second only to that of Niagara Falls in its class in the state of New York. The remarkable rock ex- posures in the gorge have given the name of the Portage Group to this geological formation wherever found. When Dr. Letchworth, then living in Buffalo, began in 1858 his acquisitions of property at Portage, an old saw-mill and the debris of its operations disfigured the vicinity of the Middle Fall, and the adjacent forests had been robbed of their best trees. He removed the saw-mill, cleaned up the debris and re- planted the trees, meanwhile gradually increasing his acquisi- tions until he had the beautiful rural estate which, near the close of his life, he gave to the state. On one of his first visits to this place a rainbow spanned the gorge and led him to call the place ‘‘ Glen Iris.’’ After the state decided to call the park Letchworth Park, the use of the name Glen Iris has been re- stricted to the residence which he occupied and which is now used for the accommodation of the public. The Glen Iris house is on a plateau overlooking the Middle Fall, in the midst of ex- tensive lawns adorned with majestic trees planted by Dr. Letch- worth about sixty years ago. A miniature lake and a jet foun- tain in its midst are fed from a reservoir on the hillside. In 1912-13 the American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society, with funds left by Dr. Letchworth, built near the Glen Iris mansion a stone library and museum building. It contains Dr. Letchworth’s valuable collection of works relating to ckari- ties; and several thousand specimens illustrative of the primi- tive arts of the North American Indian. On another elevation in the rear of these buildings is a forest encircled plateau called the Council House Grounds, on which stand two log buildings—one being an ancient Council House of the Seneca Nation, and the other being the cabin in which 41 ALONG THE SCENES IN LETCHWORTH GENESEE PARK RIVER MIDDLE FALLS sae Se GLEN IRIS ait a ‘ MA NSION INDIAN the daughter of Mary Jemison, the ‘* white captive of the Gene- see ’’ once lived. The former was brought from Caneadea and the latter from Gardeau. Near them is buried Mary Jemison, whose career among the Indians is a classic of the pioneer his- tory of western New York. In 1758 she was captured by In- dians at her home in Adams County, Penn., was taken first to Fort DuQuesne (Pittsburgh) and later farther down the Ohio. She was adopted by the Indians, married among them, and hore children. Before she was twenty years old she journeyed with her Indian relatives to the Seneca Village of Little Beard’s Town, near Cuylerville on the Genesee river. At the Big Tree Council in Geneseo in 1797 she was granted nearly 18,000 acres in the Genesee Valley, known as the Gardeau tract. She died in 1833 and was first buried at Buffalo. When her grave was threat- ened by civic improvements in 1874 her remains were taken to their present resting place. Over her grave is a beautiful bronze statue, by H. K. Bush-Brown, representing the captive in Indian garb, with infant on her back, as she tramped with her captors from the valley of the Ohio to the valley of the Genesee. At the intersection of the road from Castile with the main road through the park stands the monument of the First New York Dragoons, originally erected on the right bank of the river, but moved recently to its present location at the request of the surviving veterans. Various parts of the park were used by Dr. Letchworth as farms and pastures, but these uses have been discontinued since Dr. Letchworth’s death; and part of the eligible ground has been used for an arboretum which was begun under the direc- tion of the late Dr. Charles M. Dow of Jamestown, when he was Director of the park. Besides the buildings previously mentioned, there are several others erected before the park was given to the state, notably those called Lauterbrunnen, now the superintendent’s home; Prospect Home, now the Labor Center; and Chestnut Lawn. There are many remarkable viewpoints in the park, accessible by roadways and paths. From the foot-path on the Hrie rail- road bridge, which spans the river just above the Upper Falls, one has a superb panorama both upstream and downstream. Almost directly below him, at a dizzy distance, is the crest of the Upper Falls which plunges 71 feet more to the next reach of the river. Leaving the bridge by long stairways, the visitor can see the Upper Falls from below, as one used to view the Canadian Fall at Niagara near the Rock of Ages. Strolling downstream half a mile he comes to the Middle Fall, with a drop of 107 feet. Continuing downstream to a jutting point near the entrance to the Glen Iris grounds, he has a superb view of the walls of the gorge. Half a mile farther down are Inspira- tion Point, commanding a fine view upstream; and Cole’s Cliff, 43 from which Thomas Cole painted the picture of the gorge and falls which was presented to Governor Seward. A mile farther down are the Lower Falls, with Table Rock, Cathedral Rock and other interesting features. Letchworth Park offers many attractions to students of nat- ural phenomena. As an example of a gorge eroded by stream action, and following a post-glacial channel different from its pre-glacial channel, it is as interesting and typical as the Ni agara gorge. The rock exposures have been studied by Dr. James Hall, Dr. John M. Clarke, Prof. Henry L. Fairchild, Dr. Amadeus W. Grabau, and other scientists who have made valu- able contributions to geological knowledge. The great variety of birds and wild flowers in the park is equally attractive to ornithologists and botanists. The great diversity of the topo- graphy of the estate thus acquired has made it the habitat of a remarkable variety of flora and fauna. Beginning with the earliest anemones and bloodroots, and, as the season advances, running on through the houstonias, violets, columbines, trinity flower, mandrakes, azaleas, laurel, golden rods and countless others, the flowers of Glen Iris range through a spectrum of col- ors that rivals the rainbow which gave the glen its name. The Hon. George W. Clinton, formerly President of the Society of Natural Sciences of Buffalo, who spent much time at Portage, says that a greater variety of plant life can be found there than in any other locality of which he has knowledge. And Mr. Eldredge E. Fish, the author and naturalist, says: ‘‘ In many respects this charming retreat surpasses any other in its attrac- tions for the naturalist. The flora is more abundant and varied, while the song-birds are here in greater numbers than in any other locality in the state.’’ Proposed Developments Before Dr. Letchworth gave the park to the state he admitted the public to share its beauties, but there were necessary limita- tions to the public enjoyment while it was still private prop- erty. Since it has become the property of the people, however, it has been thronged with visitors in constantly increasing num- bers; and the experience of fifteen years since Dr. Letchworth gave it to the state, and of twelve years since his death, has shown the need for certain additional facilities in order ade- quately to meet public requirements. These facilities ure of three main classes—buildings, roads and bridges. In the first place, there is an increasing demand for the ac- commodation of visitors who desire to spend more than half a day in the park. At present, the Glen Iris Mansion is used as an inn from May until October, but with its limited accommoda- tions it can lodge only about 1,600 persons and serve about 8,000 meals a season; and it is now necessary to deny the large num- 44 45 PROPOSED PINE TREE INN aT LETCHWORTH PARK ber of applications beyond these numbers. It is therefore pro- posed to build an inn in a grove on the left bank of the river half a mile in an air-line northeast of Glen Iris at the place called Cole’s Cliff. This point is about one-third of the distance from the Middle Fall to the Lower Fall, on the rim of the deep Portage gorge, and at such a bend in the river that 1t commands beautiful prospects up-stream (southwestward) and down- stream (eastward), the view expanding in a superb panorama to the distant hills. This inn has now become a pressing necessity. Unlike Niagara Falls Reservation, Letchworth Park has no hotels close by its borders. In land area, the park is about eight times as large as the Niagara reservation, and the nearest hotels outside its border are at Castile, three miles to the north- ward, and Portageville, two miles to the southwestward by a circuitous and inconvenient route, and these are small and in- adequate. The plan for the inn includes as minor adjuncts a garage and a swimming pool. The latter is to be made by damming a neighboring brook after the manner of the artificial lakes in the Palisades Park, thus supplying a healthful form of recrea- tion not otherwise to be had safely within a radius of several miles. The second improvement provides for two new entrances to the park and an additional road within the park. The main approach to the park is now by the road from Castile. There is no entrance from the region lying east and south of the river, and only an inconvenient and roundabout approach from the west. The great automobile-using public demands better facili- ties for getting into the park and for bridging the moat between Livingston and Wyoming counties. Even with present ob- stacles, the park is a favorite resort for tourists, and the pro- vision of the new approaches will not only bring the benefit of the park within the reach of a vastly increased number of mo- torists, but will also immensely facilitate cross-country travel. It is therefor proposed: (a) To construct an approach to the western end of the park by means of a road branching off from the Portageville-Castile highway* at the top of the Portageville hill, and running thence in a generally northeasterly direction into the park, passing under the northwesterly end of the Erie railroad bridge on the left bank of the river, and thence crossing the gulley of De-ge- wa-nus-Creek by means of a new bridge having its foundation on solid rock. (b) To construct an approach from the southeastward by means of a road leaving the Portage-Nunda-Rochester state highway at Portage station of the Erie railroad, and running thence a few hundred feet westward near the Erie railroad track, * The Portageville-Castile highway is to be improved by the State, 4 MUVd HIMOMHOLAT LV Aqlua aasoaoua SSSR AR TT err manne cere Wa S790 MWdd AMS Aaoedaya so Mall thence passing northeastward under the southeastern end of the Hrie railroad viaduct and continuing northeastward gradually down the steep right bank to the level of the Pennsylvania rail- road, thence turning northwestward and crossing the Genesee River just above the Middle Fall by means of the proposed bridge mentioned hereafter. This route connecting the Portage- Nunda-Rochester highway with the Letchworth Park-Castile highway will be of immense public convenience, quite irrespec- tive of the park. (c) To construct a highway on the left bank from Inspira- tion Point along the existing foot-path to the Lower Fall. The present road from Glen Iris eastward to the Lower Fall is mostly remote from the river and terminates at the Lower Fall at a very considerable elevation above Table Rock. The new road will open up a mile of superb scenery along the gorge and take the visitor by an easy grade down to the picnic ground almost on the level of Table Rock. The third important improvement is the proposed bridge across the Genesee River just above the Middle Fall approxi- mately on the site of the private bridge which once spanned the river at that point. The river here is shallow; the bed suitable and easily built over; the terminal on the left bank is near the present picnic grounds; and the terminal on the bluff of the right bank is favorable for an easy gradient of approach from the connecting road. It is proposed that in form the bridge have a long central arch framing the view of the Upper Falls and flanked at each end by a smaller arch, and that in material it be either entirely of native stone or of reinforced concrete, faced with stone, so as to blend with the natural surroundings. At present there is no public passage across the Genesee river be- tween Portageville and St. Helena, a distance of about seven miles by nearest road in Livingston county and ten miles by nearest road in Wyoming county. The new bridge will therefore be of very great convenience and of general public value to-a considerable section of western New York, in addition to form- ing a portal to Letchworth Park. ot RAINBOW FALLS—WATKINS GLEN STATE RESERVATION VI. THE PROPOSED FINGER LAKES PARK SYSTEM The state of New York owns two parks in the Finger Lakes Region—Watkins Glen Reservation and the Enfield Falls Res- ervation. Watkins Glen was purchased by the state in 1906 at the instance of the American Scenic and Historical Society. Enfield Falls Reservation was given to the state in 1920 by Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Treman of Ithaca. The Finger Lakes Association, a federation of the chambers 49 of commerce and community organizations of 24 cities and villages in central New York, believes the state should first give attention to the completion of the existing state parks. The Watkins Glen Reservation is in very good condition but much work remains to be done on the Enfield Falls Reservation. The state has thus far appropriated no money for permanent improvements. In three years it has given the commission $4,000 for maintenance. This has proved inadequate for the work which the commission has in mind. The Enfield Falls Reservation Commission has drafted tentative plans calling for an expenditure of $100,000 for the development of the park. This will provide for the opening up of both the lower and upper ends of the reservation, construction of roads, rest houses and other facilities which are needed for the complete utilization of the park. Proposed New State Parks The Finger Lakes Association considers Taughannock Falls with its beautiful gorges, both above and below the main fells, as the most important scenic spot in the Finger Lakes which has not yet been given attention. If after the state acquires this property and provides for making it entirely accessible to the residents of the state and tourists, it is still able to continue the work of opening up beauty spots, the Association calls attention to Bare Hill on Canadaigua Lake, Bluff Point on Lake Keuka, Chequaga Falls and Montour Glen near the village of Montour Falls, Buttermilk Falls and Glen near Ithaca, Fillmore Glen snd the birthplace of Millard Fillmore near Moravia. For secondary consideration the Finger Lakes Association presents Connecticut Hill between Ithaca and Watkins, Great Gully between Union Springs and Aurora, Red Jacket’s birthplace on Cayuga Lake near Canoga and the glens along the western shore of Owasco Lake. The Finger Lakes Association has not yet drafted plans sufficiently definite to present figures as to acreage, cost of ac- quiring lands and cost of development. The Association will use its best offices to secure for the state a donation of property needed for these parks. In the case of Buttermilk Falls, the Association is assured by the owners, Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Treman of Ithaca, that this property will be placed at the dis- posal of the state whenever the state is ready to agree to a plan of development suitable to the owners. The Fillmore birthplace is now owned by the Cayuga County Historical Society which is holding the property until such time as the state is ready to take it over. The Association believes that it will be able to supply the funds for the purchase of each of the properties suggested in this report. Watkins Glen State Reservation Watkins Glen has long been classed with Niagara Falls, the Mammoth Cave, the Natural Bridge of Virginia, and the Na- 50 CAVERN CASCADE—WATKINS GLEN BRIDAL VEIL FALLS—MONTOUR GLEN tional Parks of the west as one of the scenic wonders of America. It is the objective of thousands of automobile tourists every year. Itis the best known show place in the entire Finger Lakes Region. From the main street of the village of Watkins, the gorge ex- tends back into the hillside for a distance of two miles. The state controls 103 acres, embracing the gorge and its wooded banks. Through the reservation, a stream drops nearly 700 feet in a series of waterfalls, cascades and rapids. Watkins Glen is particularly pleasing because of its variety. 51 LUCIFER FALLS, 200 FEET—ENFIELD FALLS STATE RESERVATION There is no single cataract which awes the visitor but a succes- sion of falls, cascades, pools and rapids. The walls of the glen tower 150 to 180 feet above the water of the stream. Enficld Falls State Reservation After being in the possession of Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Treman of Ithaca for a number of years, during which time the owners spent several thousand dollars in making the property accessible to the public, Enfield Falls Reservation was given to the State of New York in 1920. The property comprises 400 acres and stretches from the Ithaca-Elmira highway westward 52 BLUFF POINT, LAKE KEUKA, NEAR PENN YAN for approximately two and one-half miles into the hillside. The gorge has been cut by Butternut Lake which drains a large area in the western part of Tompkins County. One of the most satisfactory things about the Enfield Falls Reservation is that the stream maintains a good flow throughout the year. In this respect the gorge differs from a number of others in the region. The ultimate development of the Reservation by the State Com- mission provides for picnic grounds at both the upper and lower entrances with rest pavilions and other facilities which will make it possible for the public to enjoy the beauties of the glen. At small expense it is possible to provide swimming pouls at both ends of the Reservation. The main falls in Enfield is known as Lucifer Falls. Jt is 210 feet high and of considerable width. There are a number of small falls throughout the gorge. The rock formation is of particular interest to students of nature as are the trees and other flora. The glen has been preserved in its natural state and it is the policy of the Commission to maintain it in this con- ‘dition. Taughannock Falls Taughannock Falls, known throughout the Hast as the great- est single waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains, deserves the first attention of the state in the opinion of the Finger Lakes Association. In a sheer drop of 215 feet, Taughannock Creek falls over a ledge of rock from a deep gorge into a deeper gorge 53 5 FEET, 50 FEET HIGHER THAN NIAGARA TAUGHANNOCK FALLS, below. Second only to the fall itself in general interest is the gorge, the cliffs of which rise to a height of nearly 400 feet at the fall. Unfortunately, Taughannock Falls is two miles removed from the main state highway connecting Ithaca with Geneva and the roads leading to it are not in good condition for much of the year. This condition makes it difficult for many resi- dents of the state and tourists. to visit. this wonder of nature. Those who do take the trouble are well repaid, however, and since the Finger Lakes Association has given the fall such wide publicity it is being visited annually by thousands of motorists. a > 4 Taughannock Falls has the distinction of being the only great fall and gorge in the region easily accessible by water. The main fall is within a mile of Cayuga Lake where a large delta provides adequate picnic and camping space. Being con- nected with the barge canal system of the state, a park at Taug- hannock Falls would be accessible by water to a great portion of the state. : Bare Hill The Finger Lakes Association believes that the state should take over Bare Hill, ‘‘ the Garden of Eden of the Iroquois,’’ as astate park. This hill, which is just as bare as its name implies, rises to an altitude of 1,540 feet above the eastern shore of Canandaigua Lake, a few miles south of the village of Canan- daigua. The Iroquois called the hill Nun-do-wa-o-no and be- lieved that from this hill sprang the Senecas or Sonontowans, the Great Hill people. The Senecas were the most powerful of the Six Nations. They were the guardians of the western door of the Iroquois Long House. Until very recent years the Seneca Indians made annual pilgrimages to Bare Hill and performed sacred rites on the spot where, according to their traditions, their race was born. Bl ‘ uff Point Bluff Point would furnish the location for another of the Finger Lakes parks. This lofty promontory which divides Lake Keuka into its branches rises 720 feet above the surface of the lake. It is particularly desirable for two reasons: the wonder- ful view which the tourist obtains from its summit and its ac- cessibility by automobile road. Very little expense would be involved in laying out the top of this promontory as a tourist a Chequaga Falls and Montour Glen Chequaga Falls and Montour Glen, the former in the village of Montour Falls and the latter just south of the village, are both worthy of preservation by the state, not only because of their scenic beauty but also because of their historical associa- tions. The glen is near the Indian village of Catherine Montour, the renowned Queen Catherine of the Seneca Indians. General Sullivan, acting under orders of General Washington to crush forever the power of the Iroquois League, destroyed Catherine’s Town in 1779. Buttermilk Falls and Glen Buttermilk Falls and Glen, two miles south of Ithaca on the highway between Ithaca and Watkins, has been opened to the _ public for a number of years. The owners, Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Treman of Ithaca, have gone to much expense to erect stairs and guard rails and provide paths for the convenience of per- sons wishing to explore the glen. In the distance of a mile, Buttermilk Creek falls more than 500 feet in a series of cascades, rapids and waterfalls. The gorge is of much interest to the na- ture lover. At the foot of the falls an ample parking space ad. 55 LOWER FALLS—-ENFIELD FALLS, STATE | RESERVATION IN BUTTERMILK GLEN, NEAR ITHACA joins the state highway. There is a natural swimming pool which can be very much enlarged if the state takes over the property. One of the most beautiful camp sites in the Finger Lakes Region is found at the foot of Buttermilk Falls. Fillmore Birthplace and Glen Millard Fillmore, thirteenth President of the United States, was born in the Finger Lakes Region near the village of Mo- ravia. The officers of the Finger Lakes Association believe that his birthplace should be preserved as a national shrine. With this in view they have already secured title to the property: BUTTERMILK FALLS, FROM ITHACA—WATKINS’ HIGHWAY 56 itll CASCADE GLEN, NEAR MORAVIA FILLMORE GLEN, NEAR MORAVIA which is now being held by the Cayuga County Historical So- ciety. Near the village of Moravia there is a large and interest- ing glen which has been christened Fillmore Glen. As a boy Millard Fillmore roamed the hills and valleys in the vicinity of Fillmore Glen and the Association believes it would be wise to place the glen and his birthplace in one park. Connecticut Hill Connecticut Hill, which is located midway between Ithaca and Watkins, is the highest point in the Finger Lakes Region. The hill is 2,095 feet above sea level. Several hundred acres of land could be purchased at small expense and reforested. The hill is part of the watershed of Butternut Creek which passes through Enfield Glen. Red Jacket State Park If the state wishes to perpetuate the inhabitation of the Finger Lakes Region by the Iroquois, provisions should be made for a park in the vicinity of Canoga on Cayuga Lake, near the birthplace of Red Jacket, known to the Indians as Sa-go-ye-wat- ha. A park for tourists could be provided on the shores of Cayuga Lake near the handsome monument erected to Red Jacket. The remains of this famous Indian Chief and orator were brought from Buffalo a number of years ago and placed under the monument. Red Jacket was of great assistance to President Washington and other leaders of the nation in its 57 CHEQUAGA FALLS—MONTOUR FALLS early days in bringing about a better feeling between the Iro- quois and the new government. Great Gully Great Gully, which is located on the shore of Cayuga Lake between Union Springs and Aurora, is the center of some of the earliest activities of the Jesuit missionaries in central New York. The Jesuits erected a church in 1656. A state park in the vicinity of Great Gully would be accessible to Auburn, the largest city in the Finger Lakes Region. Several of the glens along the west shore of Owasco Lake between Auburn and Moravia should be included in the genera} plan of development of the Finger Lakes Region. 58 NX Finger lakes Y Farks and Highways Present and Proposed Developments LEGEND EXISTING STATE PARKS PROPOSED STATE PARKS 1 Scace of mies "0 po IMPROVED HIGHWAYS mm SOE Hes ren PROPOSED IMPROVED HIGHWAYS aasa AUBURN SENECA FALLS CANANDAIGUA > Seren Waterloo) —~T19 BUFFaLo I fobart College| CANANDAIGUA SYRACUSE SKANEATELES LAKE Lafayette!) CanofeO | Red Jackets big Birthplace Cheshire’) : LAKE Se} oN Tully a aN < y WY Bare Hill 0, as aes if (| Paha W Fillnare Glen ae Birthplace of Naples () Keuka Callegg Fillmore Homer{) Branchporty CORTLAND@ J GROTON [) h 32 : corge Junior Republic Z re Dryden Ys Cornell University HAMMONDSPORT Gays Ithaca Falls Enfield Gl. KR Buttermilk 4 WATKINS CAYUTAS A Pe Gg Falls Slaterville Springs wo be) exw Fi we Newfield SFrortncohacon KEUEA 5] Cohocton Avoca\ Kanona Z : S70, Bathe MONTOUR FALYS pre Odessa tia a N ‘4 th Ls Montour Glen ST, .) Wy Painted Post Q) A,