ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) — The purchase will mean changes to parking, traffic circulation and wayfinding, staff housing, and a new trailhead connecting visitors to a regional network of parks and trails.

Open Space Institute (OSI), a national conservation leader, partnering in the protection of more than 2.5 million acres across the Eastern U.S., purchased the land for $1.3 million from the Margaret M. Rumsey Trust and plans to transfer the land to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) as an addition to Buttermilk Falls State Park. The property also includes a former bed-and-breakfast that will potentially serve as housing for AmeriCorps service members working at Buttermilk Falls State Park as well as other parks throughout the Finger Lakes region.

Map showing the property now owned by OSI, courtesy of OSI.

Buttermilk Falls State Park acts as an anchor point to the area’s long-term plans for increased multi-use trails and public transportation, including the current development of the Black Diamond Trail expansion, which will eventually connect Taughannock Falls State Park, Allan H. Treman State Marine Park, Buttermilk Falls State Park, and Robert H. Treman State Park.

OSI’s purchase comes after more than eight miles of rail trail have already been built by state and local partners, with additional connections underway, and is intended to increase access to this growing network while making improvements to parking, traffic congestion, and expanding park capacity.

As owners, OSI will be responsible for maintaining all structures on the property and intend to collaborate with OPRHP to assess future needs. The site will be closed to the public during OSI’s ownership.

Learn more about OSI here, and Buttermilk Falls State Park here.