Press Release
October 01, 2018
Randy Simons | Dan Keefe
(518) 486-1868 | news@parks.ny.gov
Letchworth State Park Portageville Entrance Reopens
Road and Trail Realignment, Restoration and New Parking Improves Access and Enhances Gorge Views
The State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) announced today the reopening of the Portageville Entrance at Letchworth State Park, the Parks' southernmost entrance that offers convenient access from Route 19A/436 to the Glen Iris Inn and upper, middle and lower falls. The transformation features a straightened realignment of Park Road at the entrance, restoration along Trail 1 at the intersection with Trail 2 which ties into the restoration work on the stairs leading down to the upper/middle falls, new native plantings and a new parking lot relocated to the gorge side of the road for better viewing.
The Portageville Entrance had been closed since December 2015 when construction on the new Portageville Bridge began. Upon completion of the new bridge late last year work immediately began on the Portageville Entrance transformation.
The transformation is made possible through a combined partnership with Norfolk Southern and the NY Parks 2020 initiative, Governor Cuomo's multi-year commitment to leverage $900 million in private and public funding for State Parks from 2011 to 2020. Since 2011 more than $16 million has been invested into Letchworth State Park that includes a new nature center, new camping and comfort facilities, rehabilitated roads and entrances and trail improvements.
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, which are visited by 71 million people annually. A recent study found that New York State Parks generates $5 billion in park and visitor spending, which supports nearly 54,000 jobs and over $2.8 billion in additional state GDP. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit www.parks.ny.gov, connect with us on Facebook, or follow on Instagram and Twitter.