Wilson Tuscarora State Park which many of us use and enjoy today was created in 1965 and had a very slow and somewhat unpopular beginning. As is the case with so many state and government projects poor planning, a lack of financial commitment and public involvement were at the forefront of the issues facing the development of the park. This article will attempt to explain some of the problems that early proponents of the park had to overcome as well as the early history of the park.
After the end of World War II, as more Americans took to the highways for vacations, New York State built a number of scenic parkways around the state including Lake Ontario Parkway completed in the 1950s. Additionally, as visitation to state parks increased, new lands were sought for the creation of more parks. In the 1960s increased funding for this purpose allowed the state to acquire several large tracts of land for parkland development. Among those acquired was a 485 acre tract that would become Wilson Tuscarora State Park. The acreage consisted of old orchards, fields that were used for sheep grazing and a handful of homes. The homes were acquired by eminent domain and subsequently auctioned off in November of 1965 with the stipulation that they be moved. These were located on Lake Road, Shore Drive and Prospect Drive. However, once the land was acquired the park’s development stalled. It was not until 1971 that assistant regional park manager, John Seager outlined expansion and improvement plans for Niagara County parks at a local meeting of the Niagara Falls Rotary Club. Plans for Wilson Tuscarora State Park included picnic areas, beach improvements, pool, hiking trails, campsites and a marina. Apparently in the six years since the land was acquired, very little in the way of development had occurred. The improvements to Wilson Tuscarora did not begin that year though. An article touting the amenities of various local state parks mentioned Wilson Tuscarora as in a still undeveloped state. This did not change the following year either. In January of 1972, the Tonawanda News reported; the park’s development was postponed indefinitely due to the state’s current financial crisis. Later that year, frustrations of both the town and village of Wilson officials and residents began to boil over.
In May of 1972, Village of Wilson Planning Board Chairman, Berne R. Kent, sent a letter to the State Commissioner of Parks and Recreation, the governor and state legislators concerning the state’s lack of action developing the park. Arguments made in the letter were that it had been eight years since the state purchased the land taking it off the tax rolls, the price paid fell just under the amount needed to be eligible for payment in lieu of taxes causing a financial burden to Wilson residents and that the state was in the process of developing Golden Hill State Park despite the fact that funds were said to be not available for the development of Wilson Tuscarora Park. Finally, Kent requested that a moratorium be placed on the state acquiring any more park land until all of the unfinished parks around the state were completed. It’s unclear how successful Kent’s letter was, but a few years later the first signs of development were finally realized.
Local sport fishing enthusiasts were able to persuade state Assemblymen John Daly of the need for a boat launch ramp at Wilson Tuscarora Park. This was in 1972-1973. Daly went to the state parks department and secured the funds for the project. However, nothing moves too fast when it comes to state projects no matter how small and void of controversy they may seem. Public hearings had to be held and the Niagara County Fishery Board consulted. There was some public opposition by current boat owners over their belief that the proposed boat ramp would cause congestion. Town of Wilson officials were always for the project. These concerns were eventually alleviated, and the boat launch was constructed and opened in the summer of 1979.
Prior to the completion of the boat launch the park was open but about the only thing to do was sit on the high escarpment overlooking the beach and have a picnic. There were no real facilities such as washrooms, picnic tables, fireplaces etc. There was also another more reckless type of recreation that sometimes occurred which only seemed to scare off picnickers and those looking to spend a quiet day at the beach. (See cartoon) The beach and escarpment became an attraction for four-wheel drive enthusiasts who liked to drive their vehicles up the steep embankment which gave them a thrill, but often scared the hell out those sitting on top and relaxing in the sun. Park caretakers and state park police explained that there currently wasn’t enough money in the budget to patrol the area on a more regular basis. With the boat launch in place park usage among boaters and fishermen increased, but with the park still lacking other amenities visitors were more likely to go elsewhere for beachfront recreation.
This started to change in 1986 when water lines were installed in the park, one of the first infrastructure improvements required before future development of the park could occur. The cost of the project was $60,500 and was funded through the State Parks, once again with the backing and endorsement of now State Senator John Daly who secured the funding with Legislative add ons.
This is a good place to insert an interesting side note to the park’s story. In 1983, the State Office of Parks and Recreation sold a log cabin to the Pendleton Historical Society. The cabin was not considered historically significant having been built within the previous 50 years by a local hunting and fishing organization. It was located near the current gravel driveway that leads to Sunset Island a couple hundred yards east of the present day park pavilion. An article in the Tonawanda News stated that the cost to move the cabin and place it on a new foundation was estimated to be about $10,000. It is not known how much the Pendleton Historical Society paid for the cabin itself. Today, the well preserved attractive structure is used by the historical society as a meeting place and also for special historical exhibits throughout the year. It is located on the town park grounds on the west side of Campbell Boulevard just south of the Pendleton Town Hall.
Returning back to the history of Wilson Tuscarora Park; In the 1980s, picnic pavilions, along with tables and fire places were built throughout the park. Hiking trails with interpretive signs along with a children’s playground, baseball diamond, and restrooms were also added. In 1999 a disc golf course was constructed. It has proven to be a very popular pastime with park visitors for every season except winter. The final jewel was the completion of an enclosed park pavilion in 1999 located just above the beach. The pavilion includes restrooms, showers, office for lifeguards and caretakers along with a glassed in area which can be rented for private events. All of these improvements have paid off with increased park attendance. The most recent figures from the state show over 205,000 and 201,000 people visited the park in 2015 and 2016 respectively
The most recent addition the park is a kayak launch ramp which was added this year. (2018) It is located on the west branch of Twelve Mile Creek allowing easy access to the lake. Speaking of paddle sports, I would be amiss if I left out the wonderful kayaking, standup boarding and canoeing which seems to be getting more popular every year. Everyone should experience a Lake Ontario sunset from the beach at Wilson Tuscarora Park or just offshore in a kayak or canoe. As Wilson residents, we may sometimes take for granted how fortunate we are to have such a beautiful park in our backyard. And it doesn’t have to end with summer.
Here’s an idea; Take a walk in the park some brisk fall day and enjoy the beautiful colors as you walk along the trails. Follow that up by visiting the newly reopened wonderfully restored historic Wilson House for a hot toddy or a local craft beer. Maybe even have dinner. In the winter, substitute walking for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. Relax afterward by visiting the Wilson House again or one of Wilson’s two wineries, Victorianbourg or Midnight Run, both open year round.
Submitted by
Francis Gallagher
Wilson Town Historian
1938 Aerial view of the land that is now Wilson Tuscarora Park CREDIT NIAGARA COUNTY
1950s aerial photo of the beach and land that would later
become Wilson Tuscarora State Park. The hunting cabin
and garage at the bottom were sold and relocated to
Pendleton Town Park in 1983
Former hunters cabin from Wilson Tuscarora Park arriving at its new home at Pendleton Town Park in 1983 PENDLETON HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The cabin as it appears today CREDIT FRANCIS GALLAGHER
Wilson, NY History 