Crews start work on $1.25M DEC project at Carpenter Falls Unique Area

NILES, N.Y. — Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos recently announced that construction has begun on a $1.25 million project to improve public access at Carpenter Falls Unique Area in the town of Niles in Cayuga County. 

The site will remain closed for the duration of construction, which is expected to be completed in 2022.

 “DEC is thrilled this project, which will create more opportunities for visitors of all abilities to safely view Carpenter Falls, is underway,” Seggos said in a Sept. 8 news release. “In addition to improving public access at this special place, DEC designed these new features and upgrades to help reduce long-term environmental impacts to the area and protect water quality in Skaneateles Lake, a popular recreation destination and the source of drinking water for the city of Syracuse and surrounding areas.” 

 Carpenter Falls Unique Area contains dramatic steep terrain and waterfalls. The 37-acre property was conveyed to the DEC in 2008 by the Finger Lakes Land Trust. The project is being tackled in two phases and includes enhancements to ensure safe and convenient access to the site’s popular waterfall. The effort is supported by $1.25 million from the State’s Environmental Protection Fund (EPF). 

All-new Phase 1 improvements include a new on-site paved parking lot for 20 single vehicles, designed with green infrastructure to manage stormwater; bicycle rack to accommodate cyclists; accessible commercial chemical toilet with a screened enclosure near the parking area; new elevated boardwalk accessible to visitors of all abilities, leading 630 feet from the parking lot to an observation platform; accessible observation platform where visitors can enjoy a view of the 90-foot-tall Upper Carpenter Falls; and a new trail with stone steps to safely guide hikers down a steep ravine to view Upper Carpenter Falls from a stream-level vantage. 

In addition to the new accessibility features, the elevated boardwalk and stone steps will protect sensitive soil and vegetation from destruction and erosion sometimes caused by pedestrian traffic on the site’s steep slopes, which will also help safeguard water quality in Bear Swamp Creek and Skaneateles Lake, the DEC contends.

Phase 2 of the project will address access to the Lower Carpenter Falls, including the repair and improvement of an existing foot trail.

New York State’s Environmental Protection Fund has grown from its original appropriation of $31 million in fiscal year 1994-1995 to $300 million. The fiscal year 2022 enacted state budget sustains the EPF at $300 million.