ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) – A popular park in Ithaca is getting an addition.

The Open Space Institute (OSI) has acquired 4 acres between the entrance to Buttermilk Falls State Park and Route 13.

The nonprofit land conservation group announced the acquisition on Oct. 29. OSI purchased the parcel from the Margaret M. Rumsey Trust for $1.3 million and intends to transfer it to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

The land is expected to become a parking area to increase access and improve the overall experience at the park. It will also serve as a future trailhead, part of the Black Diamond Trail expansion, which will ultimately connect Taughannock Falls State Park, Allan H. Treman State Marine Park, Buttermilk Falls State Park, and Robert H. Treman State Park.

The existing brick house on the property will be preserved and could eventually house AmeriCorps service members.

“The Federal-style brick house, built circa 1825 at the foot of Buttermilk Falls, was originally part of a larger farm which included Buttermilk Creek and its gorge where cows watered long before Margaret Rumsey worked as a lifeguard,” said Dave Rumsey, on behalf of the Margaret M. Rumsey Trust. “After Hugh E. Rumsey and his partner, Robert H. Treman, divided the property, Mr. and Mrs. Treman gifted the gorge and surrounding hillside to New York State, and it became Buttermilk Falls State Park in 1924. Margaret later converted the brick house into Buttermilk Falls B&B in 1983, which she operated until a few years before her passing in 2021. We’re confident she would be pleased to see the Rumsey family homestead, where Margaret raised her sons and welcomed guests, now being transitioned for use with her beloved Buttermilk Falls.”

Read more from the Open Space Institute here.