Good news for the infamous Letchworth State Park, located 35 miles southwest of Rochester: a $6.7 million project, and the result of nearly five years of plan is slated to open in late spring.
The project, which is a 5,000-square-foot, year-round and sustainable nature center will offer education and interpretive programming. The space offers both meeting and classrooms, as well as a research lab and exhibits.
The center is concentrated on educating the 750,000 people who visit the park each year and their understanding of its history, geology, and environment. Often called “The Grand Canyon of the East,” Letchworth spans parts of Livingston and Wyoming counties. While the actual Grand Canyon spans 10 miles from rim to rim, Letchworth offers an impressively deep gorge with three waterfalls — one of which is 107 feet high.
“We have always had people visit Letchworth to see the scenic beauty, but the nature center will help raise awareness of the natural resources and biodiversity,” said Richard Parker, the regional director of the New York State Parks, Genesee Region.
The funding for the project is being handled by the Nature Center Planning Committee, which is still seeking $100,000 more in donations to complete its vision. A hefty $2 million dollars has been raised already from various private donors, and the state has agreed to match private donation two-to-one.
While $4.6 million might seem like quite the hefty sum for a nature center, consider that some of the fundraising is going towards an operating endowment, which will keep the center open and running for years to come, as well as financing exhibits.
Peter Humphrey, the chairman of the Planning Committee, commented on the progress of the center: “Good progress is being made and the building is really taking shape.” He said that donors would be helping to sponsor the center’s exhibit room, classroom, solar panels, covered terrace, and educational programming area.
