A major shoreline restoration and resiliency project at Hamlin Beach State Park has been completed ahead of the summer tourism season, according to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
State officials announced the completion of the $6.7 million project this week, saying the work repaired damage caused by flooding, shoreline erosion, and wave action from a severe 2017 storm along Lake Ontario.
The project focused on reshaping and restoring much of the park’s historic lakefront promenade while adding new features designed to better protect the shoreline from future storm damage.
State Parks Acting Commissioner Kathy Moser said stronger storms continue to pose risks to public lands and coastal communities, making resiliency projects increasingly important.
Funding for the project included $2.5 million from New York’s Environmental Protection Fund along with matching money from the National Park Service’s Land and Water Conservation Fund.
The project added several shoreline protection measures, including native plantings, rip-rap reinforcement, additional boulders near the fishing jetty, and rounded cobbles designed to direct floodwaters to targeted areas. Officials also converted 10 acres of upland lawn into grassy meadows to improve stormwater absorption.
Other improvements included relocating multi-use trails away from flood-prone areas, reducing parking areas to improve ground permeability, and creating new lakefront overlook areas for visitors.
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer said the federal funding helped strengthen shoreline resiliency while protecting one of Monroe County’s most popular recreational destinations. Congressman Joe Morelle said the project will help preserve critical habitat and ensure continued public access to the Lake Ontario shoreline.
Officials also said the project complements separate restoration work underway at the park’s Yanty Marsh area, where habitat restoration and resiliency improvements are expected to be completed later this year.
Located along Lake Ontario in Monroe County, Hamlin Beach State Park attracts more than 300,000 visitors annually and features beaches, trails, fishing access, and campgrounds.
