CASSADAGA – The Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy was recently awarded a state grant for improvements to its Cassadaga Lakes Nature Park.
The group says a $40,000 grant will allow them to make trail improvements, enhancing and connecting trails at the park located on the old Route 60 just outside of Cassadaga.
The group also plans to create a entryway welcome kiosk and pavilion that will offer visitors shelter and information about the park.
On the shoreline of Mud Lake, a wildlife observation blind will be constructed featuring an elevated platform and ramp for access. Gaps will be included in the blind’s walls facing the lake which will allow visitors to use binoculars to observe birds and other wildlife in and on Mud Lake.
The park encompasses 77 acres of woods and wetlands at the head of the Cassadaga Lakes, including 26 acres of shoreland wetlands and 1,100 feet of natural shoreline.
The grant is funded from the New York State Conservation Partnership Program and New York’s Environmental Protection Fund.
“We thank State Senator George Borrello, Assemblyman Andy Goodell and Governor Cuomo for their support of this project and the New York State Conservation Partnership Program during this challenging time,” said John Jablonski, Executive Director of the CWC. “The CWC has registered over 1,300 persons using its preserves over the last nine months. We anticipate that this site will become one of area’s most popular walking destinations.”
The completion of these improvements and the park opening are scheduled for summer 2021.
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