The Seneca Lake Waterfront at Clute Park in Watkins Glen celebrated the opening of their new space with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday.
The $5.3 million dollar project took nearly a year to complete and is a part of Watkins Glen’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative, a $10 fund awarded to Watkins Glen in 2017.
$2.6 million came from the DRI fund while $2.1 million came from the Department of State Lakefront Water Revitalization Program. $415,000 came from the New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Finally, $100,000 came from a private investment. An outdoor ice rink expected to open in November had a contribution in funding from WENY TV’s parent company, Lilly Broadcasting.
The project was designed an developed based on community feedback and support.
The plans for Clute Park include access to the grounds year round, complete with a pavilion that can be used by the public for public or private events and a café that will be selling food and drinks.
The splash pad currently used in warm weather will be converted to the ice rink in the colder seasons.
The village is still in search of a vendor for the café, and future plans include a walking path that goes from the kayak launch to Seneca Harbor.
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