BY Karey Solomon
Last Monday, after unveiling plans for the 251st New York state park or historic site, Kathy Moser, acting director of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, stopped at the Harbor Hotel in Watkins Glen to detail Gov. Kathy Hochul’s vision for state parks, including the one in Watkins Glen.
The newest park had just been unveiled, Three Falls State Park, at the 90-acre former Boy Scout property known as Camp Barton. On Cayuga Lake, a few miles north of Taughannock Falls State Park, the plans for its redevelopment support the state’s “Get Offline and Get Outside,” and “Unplug and Play,” initiatives.
With another scenic outdoor recreation area in the region, more visitors are expected at neighboring state parks such as Watkins Glen.
Schuyler County Administrator Shawn Rosno was in attendance, to learn more about plans for the state park across the street from his office, particularly updates on Sentry Bridge. That bridge replacement project began in July 2025, detouring hikers up the rim trail before allowing them to access the gorge trail by going down steps after the construction area. Signs and park staff helped hikers follow the temporary route in the summer and fall. The gorge trail closes for the winter due to ice conditions, with a typical reopening in mid-May.
The stone Sentry Bridge, built in 1908, was damaged by erosion and long-term outdoor exposure and had been previously topped with a temporary metal bridge for safety before this latest project. Mosher delivered good news. The new custom-designed bridge is on-track to arrive in April, so work can begin setting it in place. It is expected to open in early July this year. Some of the stone set more than a century ago will be repurposed as decorative masonry at either end of the new bridge. The bridge replacement project is expected to cost $7.5 million.
Fred Bonn, Finger Lakes-based regional director for the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, noted that many of the visitors to the village of Watkins Glen will make a stop at the park. Mosher reinforced the importance of the park when she said, “For every dollar spent in the state park, $10 comes to the private sector.”
Mosher also announced increased funding to the state parks to improve building maintenance (many of the structures in parks around the state are at least a century old) and programming for the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. She said there are 47 historic sites and parks with a connection to the Revolutionary War. As well, the parks department is working on the launch of “The Unfinished Revolution, Enslavement to Freedom,” commemorating the end of 200 years of slavery in New York state in 1827, which will have its bicentennial next year.
One of the beneficiaries of increased funding is the Catharine Valley Trail, which is a state recreation trail. Beginning at Huck Finn trailhead at the Mark Twain State Park behind the Elmira College Murray Athletic Center, a.k.a. the Domes, in Chemung County, parts of the 13-mile trail follow the former Chemung Canal towpath as well as sections of abandoned Northern Central Rail lines, passing through Millport and Montour Falls before ending at the Watkins Glen Pier.
Russ Nelson, president of Friends of the Catharine Valley Trail, is hoping the $13,000 grant will provide some amenities like increased signage, but it probably will not stretch to providing the hoped-for mid-trail restrooms.
Despite continuing construction of the bridge, 100 sites in the campground at Watkins Glen State Park are slated to open early, on Mother’s Day Weekend this year, to accommodate visitors for the NASCAR race at Watkins Glen International, which are being held earlier in the season.
Mosher also discussed the New York State Parks Trades Corps initiative, a pilot program for youth 18 to 24 years old, providing on the job training in skills like carpentry, electricity and plumbing as updates and improvements to the state parks are accomplished. She noted many employees have worked in the state parks system for decades, in part because they love the environment.
And for those who simply want to get out and volunteer, “Love My Park Day 2026” will offer a short-term opportunity to help with maintenance and beautification on Saturday, May 2 at Watkins Glen State Park and other parks around the state. Find out more online at parks.ny.gov/get-involved/i-love-my-park-day; or on the I Love Watkins Glen State Park page on Facebook.
Last Monday, after unveiling plans for the 251st New York state park or historic site, Kathy Moser, acting director of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, stopped at the Harbor Hotel in Watkins Glen to detail Gov. Kathy Hochul’s vision for state parks, including the one in Watkins Glen.
The newest park had just been unveiled, Three Falls State Park, at the 90-acre former Boy Scout property known as Camp Barton. On Cayuga Lake, a few miles north of Taughannock Falls State Park, the plans for its redevelopment support the state’s “Get Offline and Get Outside,” and “Unplug and Play,” initiatives.
With another scenic outdoor recreation area in the region, more visitors are expected at neighboring state parks such as Watkins Glen.
Schuyler County Administrator Shawn Rosno was in attendance, to learn more about plans for the state park across the street from his office, particularly updates on Sentry Bridge. That bridge replacement project began in July 2025, detouring hikers up the rim trail before allowing them to access the gorge trail by going down steps after the construction area. Signs and park staff helped hikers follow the temporary route in the summer and fall. The gorge trail closes for the winter due to ice conditions, with a typical reopening in mid-May.
The stone Sentry Bridge, built in 1908, was damaged by erosion and long-term outdoor exposure and had been previously topped with a temporary metal bridge for safety before this latest project. Mosher delivered good news. The new custom-designed bridge is on-track to arrive in April, so work can begin setting it in place. It is expected to open in early July this year. Some of the stone set more than a century ago will be repurposed as decorative masonry at either end of the new bridge. The bridge replacement project is expected to cost $7.5 million.
Fred Bonn, Finger Lakes-based regional director for the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, noted that many of the visitors to the village of Watkins Glen will make a stop at the park. Mosher reinforced the importance of the park when she said, “For every dollar spent in the state park, $10 comes to the private sector.”
Mosher also announced increased funding to the state parks to improve building maintenance (many of the structures in parks around the state are at least a century old) and programming for the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. She said there are 47 historic sites and parks with a connection to the Revolutionary War. As well, the parks department is working on the launch of “The Unfinished Revolution, Enslavement to Freedom,” commemorating the end of 200 years of slavery in New York state in 1827, which will have its bicentennial next year.
One of the beneficiaries of increased funding is the Catharine Valley Trail, which is a state recreation trail. Beginning at Huck Finn trailhead at the Mark Twain State Park behind the Elmira College Murray Athletic Center, a.k.a. the Domes, in Chemung County, parts of the 13-mile trail follow the former Chemung Canal towpath as well as sections of abandoned Northern Central Rail lines, passing through Millport and Montour Falls before ending at the Watkins Glen Pier.
Russ Nelson, president of Friends of the Catharine Valley Trail, is hoping the $13,000 grant will provide some amenities like increased signage, but it probably will not stretch to providing the hoped-for mid-trail restrooms.
Despite continuing construction of the bridge, 100 sites in the campground at Watkins Glen State Park are slated to open early, on Mother’s Day Weekend this year, to accommodate visitors for the NASCAR race at Watkins Glen International, which are being held earlier in the season.
Mosher also discussed the New York State Parks Trades Corps initiative, a pilot program for youth 18 to 24 years old, providing on the job training in skills like carpentry, electricity and plumbing as updates and improvements to the state parks are accomplished. She noted many employees have worked in the state parks system for decades, in part because they love the environment.
And for those who simply want to get out and volunteer, “Love My Park Day 2026” will offer a short-term opportunity to help with maintenance and beautification on Saturday, May 2 at Watkins Glen State Park and other parks around the state. Find out more online at parks.ny.gov/get-involved/i-love-my-park-day; or on the I Love Watkins Glen State Park page on Facebook.
