Visitors will need to steer clear of one of Amherst’s most popular nature spots as work begins on long-awaited upgrades.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation says the boardwalk at Great Baehre Swamp Wildlife Management Area will close starting Monday, November 17. The project will shut down the entire path, including the section that connects to Billy Wilson Park, for about three weeks.
Crews will replace and repair parts of the 1,300-foot boardwalk, which runs through the heart of the swamp. Public access will be restricted from Hopkins Road south to Billy Wilson Park while construction is underway.
Great Baehre Swamp WMA covers 270 acres of state-owned wetlands along the edge of Amherst. It was acquired in 1989 through New York’s Environmental Quality Bond Act and includes the boardwalk as part of a stewardship agreement with the town.
Wildlife Management Areas are public lands managed by DEC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife. They’re designed to protect habitats while giving New Yorkers a chance to hike, bird-watch, and enjoy the outdoors. The state operates 123 of these areas totaling around 235,000 acres.
DEC says updates and any delays will be posted to the Great Baehre Swamp WMA webpage. In the meantime, they’re asking visitors to avoid the area and follow Leave No Trace™ guidelines when exploring other outdoor spaces.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].