Submitted Photo The Cassadaga Lakes Nature Park will soon be improved thanks to a $40,000 New York state grant awarded to the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy.

CASSADAGA — The Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy has been awarded a $40,000 New York state grant for improvements to its Cassadaga Lakes Nature Park. The park, located on Route 60 just outside of Cassadaga, encompasses 77 acres of forest and wetlands at the head of the Cassadaga Lakes, including 26 acres of shoreland wetlands and 1,100 feet of natural shoreline.

“We thank State Sen. George Borrello, Assemblyman Andy Goodell and Gov. Cuomo for their support of this project and the New York State Conservation Partnership Program during this challenging time,” said John Jablonski, CWC executive director. “The CWC has registered over 1,300 persons using its preserves over the last nine months. We anticipate that this site will become one of area’s most popular walking destinations.”

The grant is funded by the New York State Conservation Partnership Program and New York State’s Environmental Protection Fund, which supports capital projects related to the environment.

The CWC intends to use the grant funding to make trail improvements, enhancing and connecting trails in the park with a parking area, as well as to install an entryway welcome kiosk and pavilion that will offer visitors shelter and information about the park. On the shoreline of Mud Lake, a wildlife observation blind will be constructed featuring an elevated platform and ramp for access. Gaps will be included in the blind’s walls facing the lake which will allow visitors to use binoculars to observe birds and other wildlife in and on Mud Lake.

CWC was able to purchase the Cassadaga Lakes Nature Park property using a $91,000 New York State Parks Grant, working in conjunction with a committee of volunteers and the Cassadaga Lakes Association.

The project has also been aided by community support with 50 families, individuals, businesses, foundations and organizations contributing $79,000 to date.

Improvements and opening are scheduled for summer of 2021.

CWC properties also include the Mary Straight Bird Sanctuary and Joyce Johnson Bird Sanctuary wetlands around Cassadaga Lake.

Many outdoor parks and nature preserves have seen large increases in visitation during the COVID-19 pandemic, including those in Chautauqua County.

“This is actually the first year we have kept direct records of visitors at our featured trail and preserve locations,” said Jeremy Woolson, CWC conservation lands manager. “I think it may be an increase over prior years however, as people have been getting out where and how they can and trying to remain active when other venues for exercise and recreation are either less accessible or not accessible.”

Woolson said it is not possible to measure the increase in visitation during the pandemic without a catalog of visitors in the past, but estimated that around 80% of visitors to featured trail and preserve locations are signing in.

“In meeting people on the trail, I have heard folks share about just needing to walk among the trees or get their blood moving or just get some quiet space away from busier than usual homes,” he said. “The research on the subject of the benefits of spending time in nature is out there, with benefits to physical and mental health that can be measured.”

More information can be found at chautauquawatershed.org and on Facebook and Instagram.