Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

July 10, 2013

Randy Simons
Dan Keefe
518-486-1868

New Campground and Cabin Improvements Complete at Letchworth and Hamlin Beach State Parks

State Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey announced that finishing touches are being completed on several new projects to improve the visitor experience at Letchworth and Hamlin Beach State Parks. The projects were funded through Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's New York Works initiative.

"I'm excited these new amenities will be available for visitors to Letchworth and Hamlin Beach State Parks as they begin arriving for our peak season," said State Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey. "State Parks secure our state's tourism industry, with 25 percent of overnight visitors coming from out-of-state. New Yorkers are fortunate that under Governor Cuomo's leadership we are able to protect and improve the quality of these wonderful resources."

"It's wonderful that we have a governor who sees the value and importance of our state park systems and is supportive by including money for the many infrastructure needs of the parks in the budget, especially in these challenging economic times," Carol Rathbun, President of Friends of Letchworth State Park. "Because of this, Letchworth will be able to update cabin facilities on the East side of the park and upgrade the present water system at the south end of the park, both will further enhance the visitors' experience here. It's great to see that these much needed improvements will finally come a reality."

"The Town of Hamlin is pleased with the New York State's commitment to our largest tourist and natural resource, Hamlin Beach State Park. These improvements will ensure that Hamlin Beach remains a popular destination for tourists and a boost to our local economy," said Hamlin Supervisor Thomas Breslawski.

Improvements include:

• A $2.8 million project to upgrade the failing electric system for the campground at Hamlin Beach State Park has been completed. The existing system dates to the campground's opening in the mid-1960s, and its 15-20 amp service is inadequate for many modern RVs and experienced frequent outages. The new system will provide consistent reliable service with a minimum of 30 amps at each of the 264 sites, and 50 amp service available at one-third of the sites. Loop roads throughout the campground have also been repaved and most overhead electrical lines have been relocated underground.
• Construction is expected to be complete this month on a $950,000 project to build a new comfort station and wash house to serve the cabin areas on the east side of Letchworth State Park. This larger facility will be able to accommodate not only renters from the 10 cabins in Area D but also the 10 cabins in Area E, which have no access to showers or laundry. It will feature multiple rooms, full ADA compliance, more efficient utilities and expanded laundry facilities.
• Construction commenced this spring on a $2.5 million project to connect Letchworth's southern end to the municipal water system in the Village of Castile and to replace aged water system infrastructure in the park. This project is expected to be complete in the spring of 2014 and will ensure a safe and adequate supply of potable water to the highly utilized area of the park and restore potable water service to sections that have recently been taken off line.

Governor Cuomo has committed a total of $179 million in total funding -- $90 million in 2013-14 and $89 million in 2012-13 -- through the New York Works initiative to rehabilitate dozens of state parks and historic sites across the state, addressing a backlog of capital needs in parks and spurring job creation and economic development.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation operates and maintains 179 state parks and 35 historic sites, which are visited by 60 million people annually. A recent study commissioned by Parks & Trails New York found that New York State Parks generates $1.9 billion in economic activity annually and supports 20,000 jobs. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit www.nysparks.com, connect on Facebook, or follow on Twitter.