A long-vacant stretch of Penn Yan’s waterfront has been transformed into a new public gathering space, as state and local officials announced the completion of the $1.8 million Walkerbilt Park project this week.
The new park, funded through New York’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative, includes a playground, pavilion, dock and waterfront landing, plus an ADA-accessible walking path designed to better connect downtown Penn Yan with the village’s waterfront and trail system.
State officials said the project represents another milestone in Penn Yan’s ongoing downtown revitalization effort, which began after the village was selected as the Finger Lakes region’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative winner in 2018.
Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley said the project reflects the village’s effort to preserve its history while investing in modern public spaces that improve quality of life and support local businesses.
Walkerbilt Park takes its name from the Walkerbilt Company, a major local manufacturer that once operated on the site beginning in the late 1800s. The company grew from a local sawmill into a manufacturer of store fixtures, building materials and radio cabinets.
Village officials said the new park is intended to serve as both a recreational space and an event destination in the heart of downtown. The project also improves waterfront access and pedestrian connectivity between the lakefront and downtown business district.
The Walkerbilt Park project is one of several developments funded through Penn Yan’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative award. Other projects include the ongoing rehabilitation of the Sampson Theater, redevelopment of Struble’s Arcade into mixed-use space, downtown streetscape improvements, construction of new townhomes on Water Street and upgrades to several historic properties and local businesses.
Mayor Patricia Christensen said the state investment has helped reshape the village through improvements to parks, downtown infrastructure, historic buildings and community spaces.
Melissa Gerhardt, Penn Yan’s director of public works, said the funding allowed the village to complete projects that otherwise would not have been financially possible for a small community.
Penn Yan joins several other Finger Lakes communities that have received Downtown Revitalization Initiative funding in recent years, including Geneva, Seneca Falls, Waterloo, Newark and Canandaigua.
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