A new waterfront park honoring aviation pioneer Glenn H. Curtiss has officially been completed and dedicated in the Town of Urbana.
New York Secretary of State Walter Mosley announced the completion of Glenn H. Curtiss Park this week. The park is located along the Keuka Lake inlet in the Village of Hammondsport and is designed to improve waterfront access and recreational opportunities while connecting several public parks along the lakeshore.
The project was funded through more than $1.26 million from New York State’s Local Waterfront Revitalization Program and Town of Urbana funding.
State officials said the project includes new pedestrian walkways, a shared-use path, a new entrance and parking area, seasonal lighting, upgraded boardwalk features, landscaping improvements, picnic areas, interpretive signage, and an ADA-accessible kayak launch.
The park honors Glenn H. Curtiss, a former Hammondsport resident who completed the first announced public flight in 1909 and later became known as the “Father of Naval Aviation.”
The project is part of a broader effort by the Town of Urbana and Village of Hammondsport to improve public access and strengthen connections along the Keuka Lake waterfront.
An earlier phase of the project included the construction of a pedestrian bridge over the Keuka Lake inlet, along with new boardwalks and trails connecting the park to Champlin Beach.
Town of Urbana Supervisor David Durepo said the park represents the culmination of a nearly 20-year community effort involving local officials, volunteers, donors, and organizations.
Officials said the project also supports long-term waterfront revitalization plans outlined in the communities’ Keuka Lake Waterfront Master Plan and the NY Forward Strategic Investment Plan.
In addition to state and local funding, the project also received donations and volunteer support from community groups, local students, and organizations, including Friends of Hammondsport Area Trails and Parks.
