The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) today announced new parkland on Cayuga Lake will be designated "Three Falls State Park" in recognition of the three scenic waterfalls found on, and adjacent to, the 90-acre property. 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.

"I’m thrilled to join our three local partners today to designate this new parkland on Cayuga Lake as Three Falls State Park,” said OPRHP Acting Commissioner Kathy Moser. "Through important partnerships like this, we’re advancing Governor 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." 

The park will be operated by Three Falls Local Development Corporation, a collaborative entity comprised of representatives of the towns of Covert and Ulysses and the Village of Trumansburg. 

Covert Deputy Town Supervisor Deborah Nottke said, "The Town of Covert is grateful and excited with our continued partnership with Ulysses and Trumansburg. Trumansburg Creek, which flows through the three municipalities, also forges the three waterfalls found on, and just upstream of the new State Park property. Three Falls LDC will continue a tradition of stewardship to preserve this hidden treasure and historic 90 acres for generations to experience and 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. Waterfront land is rarer still. I'm deeply grateful to our state and local partners for turning this shared vision into reality. 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. I want to thank everyone who made this effort successful, from State Parks to the Governor’s office, and I especially want to thank our partners at the Towns of Ulysses and Covert for seeing this process through." 

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 among four phases of improvements, the plan includes several key enhancements, such as:  

• Restored camp cabins, 

• New docks, kayak launches and lake access infrastructure, 

• A new Nature Center and environmental education learning spaces, 

• Preservation of peregrine falcon habitat, 

• Rentable music and events spaces, 

• An improved central restroom facility, 

• New hiking trails and waterfall viewing areas, 

• And a permanent 110+ space parking area. 

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. Designs for these renovations will prioritize universal accessibility, creating equitable access to outdoor spaces and ensuring that every New Yorker feels welcome on state lands.  

This thoughtful approach to investment and design will contribute to the creation of an equitable and fiscally sustainable state parks system that future generations can enjoy. The timing of improvements will be determined following final review of the draft plan by New York State Parks and the availability of funding. The Three Falls Local Development Corporation will utilize a variety of funding sources, including grants and community support, to advance the project and develop public programming at the park. 

While expanding recreational opportunities at the lower section of the Three Falls State Park, State Park’s will also work to preserve the sensitive ecology of Trumansburg Creek, the surrounding gorge, and the park’s higher elevations. This important stewardship effort includes rerouting trails to protect nesting peregrine falcons, removing invasive Japanese knotweed, and establishing conservation areas to keep the park’s upper woodlands largely free of human disturbance. 

The proposal also includes a new nature center and environmental education learning spaces at Three Falls State Park will help support Governor Hochul’s ‘Get Offline and Get Outside’ initiative which aims to create fun and affordable ways for kids and families to enjoy our state’s public lands distraction free. At state park nature centers, visitors are encouraged to leave their devices behind and learn about New York's natural world, from honeybees to sea stars, snakes, and coyotes, to exploring geology, migration, botany and so much more.  

Located just north of Taughannock Falls State Park, Three Falls State Park is a 90-acre property acquired in 2025 from the Baden-Powell Council of the Boy Scouts of America, which had operated the facility as Camp Barton. Including a half-mile of Cayuga Lake shoreline, restrooms and the 128-foot Frontenac Falls, the park is now operated and managed in a partnership between New York State Parks and Three Falls Local Development Corporation – a not-for-profit collaboration between the Village of Trumansburg and the Towns of Ulysses and Covert. 

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. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer app or call 518-474-0456. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, the OPRHP Blog or via the OPRHP Newsroom.