On Tuesday, Oct. 10, local officials gathered with Tioga County Tourism to unveil the Master Plan for upgrades, improvements, and the expansion of Waverly Glen Park. The park, which was established in the early 1900’s, is located in Waverly, N.Y. and has tennis courts, parking areas, pavilions, grills, walking paths, bathrooms, playground equipment and a waterfall.
For the unveiling on Tuesday, guests gathered at the park’s Upper Pavilion and near the waterfall.
Waverly Glen Park is also adjacent to Two Rivers State Park. The two parks share a trail system and together make up a large, multi-use, outdoor recreation area with activities for all ages, interests and fitness levels.
Last year, a group of representatives from New York State Parks, the Village of Waverly, and Tioga County met to discuss developing and promoting Two Rivers State Park. Out of these discussions came the conclusion that Waverly Glen Park is the most convenient trailhead to Two Rivers State Park and that there are opportunities to improve both parks for community use and to attract visitors to Waverly.
As part of the Master Plan, according to Mike Haas, architect, these trails will be connected.
On Tuesday, Tioga County Tourism, along with Village of Waverly and other officials, gathered to unveil the Waverly Glen Master Plan that outlines improvement projects to upgrade the park’s infrastructure and add amenities. Pictured is the Upper Pavilion.
The Village of Waverly applied to the Mildred Faulkner Truman Foundation for funding to hire the landscape architect to conduct a study of the park and identify short-term and long-term development projects for Waverly Glen Park and deliver the Master Plan. The Mildred Faulkner Truman Foundation awarded the Village of Waverly $15,000 for the project.
Stephanie Carrigg, from the foundation, was at the unveiling of the Master Plan on Tuesday, and stated that she was glad to be a part of the project.
The Village contracted with Haas Landscape Architects and the Waverly Glen Master Plan was first presented in June. The Waverly Glen Master Plan is a roadmap for park improvement projects over three phases.
In July, the Village of Waverly applied to the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation for funds to implement Phase 1 of the Master Plan.
According to the Director of Tourism, Rebecca Maffei, Phase 1 projects include paving and the repairing of roadways and parking areas, upgrading the bathrooms, repairs and improvements to the historic Upper Pavilion, adding pathways that connect all areas of the park, creating a more visible and accessible entryway, and adding amphitheater-style seating for events, concerts and other performances.
On Tuesday, Tioga County Tourism, along with Village of Waverly and other officials, gathered to unveil the Waverly Glen Master Plan that outlines improvement projects to upgrade the park’s infrastructure and add amenities. Pictured are the falls at the Waverly Glen.
Maffei further talked about Phase 1, stating that the entrance will have a facelift, and will have a “wow” factor upon completion. She also noted that the road would be widened and a bike trail added. A primitive amphitheater is also being proposed as part of Phase 1. Phase 2, she noted, would be development work on the falls. Phase 3 would be to add more parking and the shoring up of the stream.
In addition to the Waverly Glen Master Plan projects, two additional groups are working with New York State Parks to enhance and support Two Rivers State Park and the connection with Waverly Glen Park. One group is working to map trails and develop a cohesive trail marking system for both parks to improve safety and navigability for trail hikers, bikers and runners.
The other is forming an official “Friends of the Park” group that will assist in stewardship of the park by creating a volunteer base, fundraising for projects and hosting events.
Marcus Riehl, a representative from New York State Parks’ Finger Lake Region, attended the event and stated that the work proposed within the Master Plan for trails at the Waverly Glen Park will compliment the Two Rivers Trail system.
Maffei added that the Waverly community gave input on the project, but noted that all of Tioga County will benefit as well as the Finger Lakes Region.
Dennis Mullen, legislator, was at the unveiling and thanked the other local officials for their hard work.
“We’ve come a long way,” said Mullen, regarding the project, adding, “It’s about community, and having a place that’s safe and can be enjoyed by all.”
Dan Leary, former mayor of Waverly, also attended Tuesday’s unveiling, noting that the plans are a “big thing for Waverly, New York.” Leary added some of his own fond memories of the park as well.
Patrick Ayers, Waverly’s current mayor, said that the work on this project is an example of what happens when people work together. Ayers, who addressed guests at the unveiling, also called the park “magical”, and stated that he has been visiting the park since he was a child.
“We need to invest for future generations,” said Ayres of the Master Plan and the Waverly Glen project.
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