More than $2 million in Greenway funds will be invested into three projects along the Niagara Gorge trail.

The projects span 1.5 miles of the gorge trail —from the Niagara Falls State Park Gorge Discovery Center to the Whirlpool Bridge.

The undertakings include restoration of the Schoellkopf overlook, restoration and improvement of the existing great gorge railroad trail and construction of overlooks and gorge trail access near the Whirlpool Bridge.

About $700,000 in funds will be used to make what was described as “much-needed improvements” to the deteriorating Schoellkopf overlook, located at the Gorge Discovery Center. A new barrier wall will replace a chain link fence at the south end of the parking lot, while greenspace and native plants will replace concrete pavement near the entrance of the discovery center.

An extensive rock scaling effort was required and completed over the summer along the entire section of the trail, due to its close proximity to the gorge wall. The scaling effort required, in some instances, the relocation, or removing and replacing of a number of rare wild plants, an issue that stirred questions and comments from the public.

Albert J. Nihill, an associate landscape artist with the state parks, assured concerned audience members a concerted effort was made to protect unusual species of flora.

“We hired an outside team at a cost of around $180,000 to ensure that all rare or threatened plants were not harmed,” Nihill said.

The most visible changes to the gorge trail will be a series of overlooks and trail access points near the Whirlpool Bridge. Just off Whirlpool Street, a new parking lot will be constructed at the base of a two-level overlook, that serves as a trail head to walk down into the gorge. Walkways and signage will lead visitors from the top level overlook down to an overlook at the water’s edge.

Nihill said the enhancements to the gorge paths will give visitors more to do when coming to the Falls.

“We are planning to eventually renovate the entire six miles of trail systems from Niagara Falls to Artpark,” he said. “The intention is that people will spend a longer period of time in the area. They will come to see the gorge, the rapids and the whirlpool and not just Niagara Falls.”

Nihill said Niagara can take advantage of a nationwide boom in eco-tourism and promote the area as one of the great natural destinations in America.

“Not only is Niagara Falls a natural wonder, the entire gorge system is,” he said.

The long-term goal of the state parks is to enhance the entire six miles of the great gorge railway trail, allowing visitors to hike from Niagara Falls State Park to Artpark in Lewiston and back. Nihil said that is a long-term goal, but due to the yearly allotment of Greenway Funds, a realistic one.

Nihill expects the projects to be completed next spring.

Edward Alkiewicz, a licensing manager with the New York Power Authority, discussed a related project that will refurbish three sets of river access stairs at Artpark.

This portion of the project is still in the early planning stages but is expected to rebuild two sets of wooden stairs along the river’s edge trails and a set of metal stairs near Artpark’s main stage.

Alkiewcz said the stairs frequented by fisherman are a safety concern that needs to be addressed but is also part of a larger goal to provide better fishing opportunities along the entire lower Niagara River.

The public comment session fueled debate on the decades-long fight surrounding the removal of the Robert Moses Parkway.

Nihill said he can understand the public’s concern and just last week the State Department of Transportation began taking a more in-depth look at possibilities for the 18-mile highway.

“It’s way to early to speculate on the future of the parkway,” he said. “We are in the projects scoping phase, which is the first step of the process, then we can see where things go.”

In a joint partnership between the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historical Preservation and the New York Power Authority,