The Finger Lakes Land Trust (FLLT) purchased 23 acres in the town of Ulysses, Tompkins County, from the Cayuga Nature Center. The property, a mix of meadows and woodlands, is located along the Black Diamond Trail at the Houghton Road crossing.

The FLLT intends to transfer the parcel to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (OPRHP), which owns and manages the Black Diamond Trail. The property provides a buffer to the trail and OPRHP is interested in creating a mid-way access point on the property with parking, restroom facilities, and a water fountain.

Photo: Chris Ray

The Black Diamond Trail is an 8.4-mile multi-use trail network currently connecting Taughannock Falls State Park in Trumansburg and Cass Park in Ithaca. Partnering with OPRHP to add lands to state parks continues to be a priority for the FLLT. In 2020, the FLLT transferred a 12-acre parcel in the town of Ulysses to OPRHP which serves as a natural buffer between the trail and the Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway/New York State Route 89.

“Again, the Finger Lakes Land Trust has stepped up to support State Parks,” said Fred Bonn, Regional Director for Finger Lakes State Parks. “In this instance, their efforts will enable us to address a critical need for the Black Diamond Trail, namely a mid-point parking lot and bathroom facility like the one currently being constructed at Taughannock Falls. Parks looks forward to acquiring this parcel from the FLLT and then moving into design and construction in the next few years.”

“This is a terrific addition to the Black Diamond,” said FLLT President Andrew Zepp. “With each passing year, more and more people are getting out to enjoy this multi-use trail. We’re delighted to have the opportunity to work with our partners at State Parks to continue to enhance this outstanding resource.”