NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — Tourists and locals have a new way to access Niagara Falls State Park and view one of the wonders of the world.
The USA Niagara Development Corporation (USAN) and New York State Parks announced that the Third Street Connector is now complete. The connector is an new way for pedestrians to get back and forth between the park and the City of Niagara Falls. The project hopes to expand the economic benefits to the area from its nearly nine million annual visitors.
“Connecting the City of Niagara Falls to its waterfront is a priority of both USA Niagara and State Parks’” said State Parks Western District Director Mark Mistretta. “State Parks is also focused on moving the park visitors into the City to enjoy the dining and recreational opportunities that exist, and this project does just that.”
The connector is located at the corner of Third Street and Buffalo Avenue and includes a six-foot wide asphalt pathway a steel stairway down a 28-foot grade change into the park, an asphalt pathway connection to the Riverway pathway system along the Upper Niagara River Rapids and pathway lighting.
“It has long been envisioned that every street in downtown Niagara Falls would provide pedestrian access to the water’s edge,” said USAN President Anthony Vilardo. This new amenity adds value to both 305 Buffalo Avenue and the surrounding heritage district and should be attractive to a future private sector partner. We are very proud to have partnered with New York State Parks in providing access to the residents of Niagara Falls and to the millions of visitors we attract annually.”
