Expansion of Niagara Falls State Park’s ‘Crow’s Nest’ to Start in September

A shot of the American Falls at Niagara Falls State Park in Niagara Falls, New York.Photo byPhoto by J.M. Lesinski

New York State Governor Kathy Hochul recently celebrated the launch of construction on a new extension of the famous Crow’s Nest feature at Niagara Falls State Park. 

“Niagara Falls State Park is the perfect place to get outdoors, get offline, and enjoy nature,” Hochul stated of the project. “This project will provide another opportunity for New Yorkers to put their phones down and take advantage of all the beautiful natural resources that our state has to offer.”

Located alongside the American Falls, the Crow’s Nest has long been a staple of the park as a set of stairs that permits visitors the opportunity to climb halfway up the side of the falls for a stunning close-up view. 

“This addition to the State Park experience will provide even more breathtaking access to our Niagara Falls,” noted Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino of the project. “The “Crow’s Nest” extension will give residents and visitors an unmatched opportunity to enjoy the beauty and majesty of our natural wonder. We appreciate this investment and look forward to its completion.”

The expansion will include construction of a brand-new overlook and stairs that will connect the existing Crow’s Nest to Prospect Point at Niagara Falls State Park. 

“This project perfectly exemplifies the ways we are working to enhance our visitors’ experiences to our State Parks,” New York State Parks Commissioner Pro Tempore Randy Simons remarked of the project. “In this case, the stairs will provide recreation opportunities by expanding access to the lower part of the gorge and to Niagara Falls, an alternative to needing an elevator and the overlook will allow people to experience the Falls from a very close and unparalleled viewing perspective. We are grateful to all of our partners who have contributed to this project.”

Upon completion, the project will both relieve pedestrian congestion and provide epic new viewpoints of the falls. 

“The new construction will connect the crow’s nest feature to Prospect Point in Niagara Falls State Park, making it easier for visitors to take in the breathtaking view of Niagara Falls,” commented New York Power Authority Chairman and Western New York Resident John R. Koelmel of the project. “Our support for the project is reflective of the Power Authority’s ongoing commitment to the community surrounding the Niagara Power Project.”

Major work is set to begin in September and the project is slated to be completed by 2026. The project, estimated to cost a total of $9 million, is funded by State Parks capital funding, The Maid of the Mist Corporation, The Niagara River Greenway, and the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund.

“We believe our $1.7M investment in this innovative project will further enhance the Maid of the Mist Experience,” Maid of the Mist President Christopher M. Glynn said of the project. “When the extension is finished, it will expedite people moving up to Prospect Point, alleviating some of the pressure on the Observation Tower elevators during our busiest times, such as the Memorial Day and Fourth of July weekends.”