Watkins Glen State Park visitors will have full access to the Gorge Trail again after the completion and opening of the park's new Sentry Bridge.
The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation announced Wednesday that the new bridge is open ahead of the Fourth of July weekend, restoring access to the Gorge and Southern Rim trails and reconnecting visitors to the park's waterfalls, overlooks and trail network.
State officials said the project restores full visitor capacity at one of New York's most popular parks. Watkins Glen State Park welcomes about 1.3 million visitors annually and features 19 waterfalls along Glen Creek, which descends nearly 400 feet through the gorge over two miles.
The new Sentry Bridge was funded with $7.5 million in New York State Parks capital funding. It was designed by a team led by the New York-based studios of schlaich bergermann partner and Snøhetta.
State Parks Commissioner Kathy Moser said the bridge opening returns visitors to the "full Watkins Glen State Park experience" before one of the park's busiest weekends.
"This project restores access to one of the most breathtaking gorge trails in the country while ensuring this critical infrastructure will serve park visitors for generations to come," Moser said.
The new bridge is made of lightweight stainless steel designed to withstand the gorge environment for more than a century, according to State Parks. It weighs about 100 tons less than the previous structure, reducing pressure on surrounding rock formations.
The span also uses a half-arch design that anchors the primary foundation point on the stronger northern wall of the Watkins Glen Gorge. State officials said the design references the historic 1908 stone arch and uses recovered stone from the original structure for portions of the kneewalls on the bridge approach.
Officials said the bridge is less vulnerable to erosion, improves sightlines and includes a modern deck surface intended to reduce congestion and improve pedestrian flow. With the work complete, visitors can again experience features including Cavern Cascade and Couch's Staircase, which connects to trails leading to the South Pavilion and swimming pool.
Watkins Glen Chamber of Commerce President Nigar Hale said the Sentry Bridge connects visitors to the Gorge Trail, which she called the park's signature experience.
"It strengthens the visitor experience, enhances public safety, and preserves access to the breathtaking beauty of Watkins Glen State Park for generations to come," Hale said.
Finger Lakes Regional Commission Chair Sharon Miller said the bridge will help preserve access to the park for future generations and support visitors who travel from across New York, the United States and around the world.
The state said the restored access also supports Gov. Kathy Hochul's "Get Offline, Get Outside" initiative, which encourages New Yorkers to use state parks, trails, campgrounds, pools and historic sites.
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