The Cassadaga Lakes Nature Park is a shared vision between the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy (CWC) and the Cassadaga Lakes Association. The nature park covers a 77-acre parcel of undeveloped land with 26 acres of highly important wetlands along the upper Cassadaga Lake. The goal for the nature park is to create a refuge for the wildlife that call the preserve home, as well as a refuge for people to explore and enjoy nature in a beautiful setting. The park currently includes an series of all-season trails, and once the park is fully developed, an observation tower, an bird blind, fishing dock and picnic areas.
The beautiful 77-acre parcel, which is located in the Town of Pomfret on Route 60 just North of Cassadaga, features mature hemlocks and white pine and 300 feet of frontage on a 5-acre kettle pond with an outlet stream to the upper Cassadaga Lake. It provides important habitat for many water-dependent species, including waterfowl, salamanders, frogs, snakes and birds. In addition to its value as a natural refuge, the Cassadaga Lakes Nature Park is crucial in maintaining the health of the Cassadaga Lakes. The wetlands and stream located on the site serve as a filter for runoff draining from 1,800 acres of farmlands and roadways above the site. Permanently preserving the land is helping to ensure that pollutants are kept from entering the Cassadaga Lakes through the site.
Support for the establishment of the nature park has been given by:
Lily Dale Assembly
Camp Gross
The Chautauqua County Legislature
County Executive George Borrello
The Chautauqua County Parks Commission
The Town of Pomfret
CWC already has received funding commitments or donations from:
The Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation
The Jessie Darrah Smith Fund
The Lenna Foundation.
All things big and small contribute their part to nature's harmony - please consider playing your part through your donation...Cassadaga Nature Park Giving Tiers/Naming Opportunities:
$100,000 - Name the Nature Park
$50,000 - Name the Observation Tower or Main Park Trail
$25,000 - Name Observation Deck, Pond or Endowment Fund
$10,000 - Contribute the Information Kiosk or the Picnic Area
$5,000 - Contribute the Osprey Nesting Platform
$2,500 - Memorialize a Bench or Bridge
$1,000 - Name Engraved on the "Park Partner" Sign on the Kiosk
$500 - "Friend of the Nature Park" Recognition
Go to the Chautauqua Watershed's website (chautauquawatershed.org) to make your donation online.
Thank you from all of us who care about the quality of our waters and the nature that thrives around it.