The Finger Lakes has a new public park named for a signature attraction.
A new parkland on Cayuga Lake formally debuted on March 9. Three Falls State Park, named in recognition of the three scenic waterfalls found on or adjacent to the 90-acre property, was announced by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
New York State Parks and its local government partners managing the property also released a conceptual plan to preserve the diverse ecology of the former Camp Barton Scout Camp while expanding recreational opportunities, improving infrastructure, and enhancing public access.
The property was acquired in 2025 from the Baden-Powell Council of the Boy Scouts of America, which had operated the facility as Camp Barton. It is located just north of Taughannock Falls State Park.
The park includes a half-mile of Cayuga Lake shoreline, restrooms and the 128-foot Frontenac Falls.
State Parks, local groups partner on new Three Falls State Park
The park will be operated by Three Falls Local Development Corporation, a non-profit, collaborative entity comprised of representatives of the towns of Covert and Ulysses and the Village of Trumansburg in a partnership with New York State Parks.
“The Town of Covert is grateful and excited with our continued partnership with Ulysses and Trumansburg,” said Covert Deputy Town Supervisor Deborah Nottke. “Trumansburg Creek, which flows through the three municipalities, also forges the three waterfalls found on, and just upstream of the new State Park property. I look forward to welcoming visitors to Three Falls State Park on the shore of Cayuga Lake.”
Ulysses Supervisor Katelin Olson said land is finite, and waterfront land is rarer still in highlighting the partnership.
“I’m deeply grateful to our state and local partners for turning this shared vision into reality,” Olson said. “What we’ve created here is a gift to generations we’ll never meet, born from cooperation, compromise, and a trust that reaches far beyond any single municipal boundary.”
Trumansburg Mayor Rordan Hart said the Village of Trumansburg is thrilled to be a partner in this “once-in-a-century opportunity” to bring additional public lands to the shores of Cayuga Lake.
Improvements planned for Three Falls State Park in Finger Lakes
Created with input from the public and partners, the newly released conceptual development plan for Three Falls State Park outlines a vision for a sustainable, accessible and affordable state park.
The plan calls for the construction of modern amenities, implementation of an invasive species management strategy, and improvements to existing structures, trails, and utilities.
Split into four phases of improvements, the plan includes several key enhancements, such as:
Many of the proposed upgrades in the Three Falls State Park strategic plan will repurpose structures at the site, aligning State Park’s goal of directing capital investments towards the improvement of existing infrastructure.
“Through important partnerships like this, we’re advancing Gov. Hochul’s vision to encourage New Yorkers and visitors to ‘Get Offline and Get Outside’ – making it easier for them to stay active and connect with nature,” said New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Acting Commissioner Kathy Moser.
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, and welcomes over 86 million visitors annually.
This article originally appeared on Ithaca Journal: Three Falls State Park debuts on Cayuga Lake at former Boy Scout camp
Reporting by Jeff Smith, Ithaca Journal / Ithaca Journal
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