LEWISTON — Bicyclists were already making their way along the new Artpark Trail Connector during a New York State Parks press event Monday morning, with Western District Director Mark Mistretta quick to point out they were not props.
The new trail going from the top of the Niagara Escarpment down to a red brick trail is officially open. Work finished last fall with some fine-tuning before it was unveiled for public use.
“It was 18 years ago when we were developing the Niagara River Greenway plan that a dot was put on a plan,” said Mistretta. The new trail is part of the greenway’s greater plan of a complete multi-use trail extending from Buffalo Harbor State Park to the shores of Lake Ontario.
From its entry at the top of the escarpment overlooking the Niagara River with views of Canada in the distance, bikers and walkers will go through three hairpin turns down the six-foot wide path at a less than 5% grade. A stone-cut stairwell also goes directly up the hill from the trail’s entrance and exists.
Mistretti said this new path gives another option for bike riders coming down the escarpment rather than just coming down the hill and turning around where they are to go back up.
“This project is about connections within the park,” said State Parks Commissioner Pro Tim Randy Simons, adding it’s also part of the governor’s plan for residents to be more active.
Approximately 165 trees and 5,400 shrubs were planted along the trail path.
The project got its approvals and funding in order in the summer of 2022, with construction starting in the spring of 2023. The $12 million project received funding from the Niagara River Greenway, the New York Power Authority, the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, and New York Works.
It is one of two official ribbon cuttings for trail completions on Monday, with a 2.5-mile Greenway trail in Wheatfield between Griffin and Gratwick parks officially open as well. Another trail going through the Village of Youngstown is still in the proposal stage.
Dave Wedekindt, president of Artpark & Co., said, “Artpark celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, not only giving us a great opportunity to look back on our legacy but also look ahead. This project represents an exciting and significant move forward in transforming the way our thousands of annual patrons and visitors will enjoy the park and its arts and entertainment offerings. “
Mistretti said State Parks looks forward to making continued improvements in Artpark in the future, looking at its Main Stage building next.