![delphi falls park delphi falls park](https://digthefalls.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/lFBqmO7v.jpeg)
“It easily rivals Chittenango Falls,” Salka added. “We have plans to make it one of the best tourist attractions in Madison County, if not Upstate New York.” “We had to present our case to board, we had a lot of debate, and when most of the board members checked it out in person they were sold on its potential for a park,” Salka said.
![delphi falls park delphi falls park](https://www.visitcentralnewyork.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Chittenango-John-Haywood-1200x801.jpg)
Salka said he has never worked so hard to get a project approved. “We had lot of discussions, 19 supervisors to get on board, but by the vote at the end of December there was a lot of excitement about it,” Ingmire said. “And that’s when things started at the county,” he said.Ĭounty officials and members of the board of supervisors then spent about six months working on this. So Allen contacted the New York State department of parks to see if they would be interested in acquiring it, but they said it was too small and not something under the state park purview. The falls, two-tiered with a higher and a lower falls, is accessible on foot right up to the base of the lower falls.Ībout one year ago, Doreen Allen decided to sell and, feeling she and her family had a great life there, thought it could become a “place for the public to enjoy,” Ingmire said.
![delphi falls park delphi falls park](https://www.babyboomster.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Delphi-wf.jpg)
The land, owned by the Allen family since the 1960s, contains 60 acres, the waterfall, a house and a barn. The road to get from the property going up for sale to ultimate ownership by Madison County was anything but straight or simple, Ingmire said. When you see the property you just say, ‘Wow ’ It’s unbelievable with the falls.” Delphi Falls in winter (courtesy Madison County Planning Department) (courtesy Madison County Planning Department) “The purchase is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. “I think it’s a great asset for Madison County,” said Cazenovia Supervisor Bill Zupan. Jones we were able to purchase it,” said Brookfield Supervisor John Salka, who is chair of the county board’s Planning, Economic Development, Environmental and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee. “This property is worth a lot more than the county is able to pay, but by the wonderful donation of Mr. Last year, he donated a 130-piece Audubon gallery collection to the Manlius Library, and also purchased 120 acres of land at Three Falls Woods in Manlius and donated it to the CNY Land Trust to be made into a public use area ( click here for the story). It is open year round from sun up to sun down for people to enjoy the splendor of the falls.Jones said after his retirement from SU he wanted to give back to the community. The park includes acres of woodland and riparian forest along the East Branch of Limestone Creek, steep gorge walls, a house and barn, and the Upper (54 Feet) and Lower (62 feet) Delphi Falls.ĭelphi Falls County Park opened to the public in August 2018. Madison County acquired the 66-acre property in May of 2018. “We hope to begin improvements in 2020, and be completed by 2021.” “The money from the grant allows us to make the first phase of improvements to Delphi Falls County Park,” said Scott Ingmire, director of the Madison County Planning Department. Upgrades to the park are made possible by a $500,000 Regional Economic Development Council grant from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation that was awarded in 2018. The design includes trails that bring visitors to the upper falls, an ADA accessible overlook, a bridge, larger parking lot and permanent bathrooms. Madison County has teamed up with Environmental Design & Research, a Syracuse company, to develop a preliminary plan for the next phase of the park. And we hope with this new plan for development they continue to come back again and again,” Becker said. Now visitors come from all over to see the two-tiered falls. “We here at the county are truly grateful that he wanted to share the beauty of Delphi Falls with everyone. “Without Harold, the public would not be able to enjoy Delphi Falls,” said Madison County Chairman John M. To honor Jones, Madison County had a plaque created and attached to a stone for all visitors to see. Jones initially purchased Delphi Falls then turned around and sold the property for $150,000 to the county. Officials opened their press conference by honoring Harold Jones, a retired Syracuse University professor, for his generosity that made the purchase of the park possible. Now that plan is coming into focus with the unveiling of a preliminary plan for the park by the Madison County Planning Department. Upon purchasing the property, Madison County officials say that they had a vision to improve the space and make it a must see destination. The 66-acre property that Madison County purchased in 2018 is home to a majestic two-tiered waterfall. WAMPSVILLE - As you turn the corner at Delphi Falls County Park you quickly learn why this place is so special, say Madison County officials.