NIAGARA FALLS — Five descendants of Thomas V. Welch, the first superintendent of the Niagara Falls State Park in 1885, were guests Thursday at the dedication of the new Heritage Park, a short walk from the world-famous natural wonder.

“Could T.V. Welch have imagined that eight million people would come here?” State Parks Commissioner Carol Ash said during the ceremony for the 125th anniversary of the nation’s oldest state park.

“Welch had two critical aspects that I have always admired in people with leadership roles,” Ash said. “He wasn’t going to allow this landscape to not be saved and he had the vision of what it should be, and he would be so proud today.”

Ash quoted Welch from that session in 1885 when the assemblyman representing Niagara Falls urged his Albany colleagues to approve the bill creating the state park here: “If it becomes law, it will be one of the events that will make the present administration memorable by bestowing upon the people of the state, the nation and the world, the privilege of communing freely and peacefully with the sublime spectacle of Niagara.”

Mayor Paul Dyster noted Heritage Park, across from the Red Coach Inn and bordered by Old Main Street and the Robert Moses Parkway, is on part of the Cataract House site where the hotel guests over the decades included President Abraham Lincoln.

Dyster cited Welch as “a giant of a man who believed in a big project.” The mayor said: “ In the early 1880s, this spot had a combined use. It pushed the mechanical use of hyrdopower almost to the brink of the falls, accompanied by a crass attempt to make money out of tourism.”

While landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted is generally credited for his classic vision of the original park, Dyster said he hoped the Heritage Park dedication would begin the revival of the memory and legacy of Thomas Welch.

“He was an individual who was such a giant that he could stand with one foot firmly planted in the state park and the other planted across the line of what would eventually become the incorporated City of Niagara Falls (1892).”

The mayor said he was proud to be at the helm of the city that is now implementing “the people’s vision for reconnecting their city to the waterfront.”

Assemblywoman Francine DelMonte, D-Lewiston, said that “many local residents have probably ignored this small park but after today they will realize there was a lot of history here.”

The regional state parks staff has relocated a number of plaques to encircle the stone path around the gazebo.

Among the markers is one in memory of Welch which the city Board of Trade had erected in 1909. Removed years ago from the parkland, the Welch family returned it to be placed in the new park.

State Sen. Antoine M. Thompson, D-Buffalo, recalled the recent threat to close 41 state parks and 14 historic sites and reduce hours of operations at other properties in the statewide system stemming from the ongoing budget crisis in Albany.

“It was a difficult fight, but the fight (to keep parks open) was worth it. Fortunately, we were victorious,” the senator said.

The official marker in front of the gazebo was unveiled by Dorothy Welch, 90, the great-great grand niece of the assemblyman and first park boss. Her grandson, Tim Welch of Ottawa, Ont., speaking for the family, said “I would like to think all the T.V. Welches are looking down with approval on their family now, this Heritage Park and all the people gathered here today, the men and women of vision who have made this park happen.”

Mark Thomas, regional state parks director and master of ceremonies, praised the state park staff for their work in refurbishing the site.

The Heritage Park dedication was part of the day-long observance of the anniversary. In the evening, hundreds of area residents, plus tourists, attended a free Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra concert in The Meadow at the eastern end of Goat Island.