The Niagara Reservation Today

More than one hundred years after the formation of the Niagara Reservation, the influence of Frederick Law Olmsted continue to be felt. Although the parks have had to adapt to conditions that Olmsted could never have foreseen, the concept of preserving the Falls’ natural surroundings in still the guiding principle.

Today the Niagara Reservation receives nearly ten million visitors a year, most of whom arrive by automobile. In order to provide all these visitors with easy access to the Falls several improvements have been made to the parks.

Automobile roads, bridges, and parking lots have been constructed to accommodate the driving public. Visitors can now drive to within a very short distance of each of the Reservation’s many viewing areas. The roads and parking lots do not detract from the surroundings, however – they were designed to keep auto traffic separate from pedestrians and natural areas.

A new visitor center was opened at Prospect Point in 1987. The center features displays, exhibits, and a theater that help tourists understand and interpret the natural environment of the Falls. It also provides such needed services as information, restrooms, gift shops, and food. The facility was designed to blend with its surroundings – to enhance, rather than detract from, Olmsted’s magnificent park.

The New York State Observation Tower is another facility that was designed to accommodate the millions of tourists Niagara receives each year. The tower’s observation platform, 200 feet above the Gorge, provides a spectacular view of the Falls. Glass-walled elevators carry visitors high above the Falls or down to the base, providing access to the waterfall and the world-famous Maid of the Mist Boats.

Visitor facilities have also been installed on Goat Island. Restaurants, snack bars, gift shops, and restrooms serve the needs of the tourist, while the Cave of the Winds Trip takes sightseers right onto the rocks at the base of the Falls.

The Niagara Gorge Discovery Center was constructed to provide visitors with an understanding of the geology and geologic history of the Falls. As with all facilities in the Reservation, it can be reached on foot or by automobile.

During the peak tourism season, a network of people-movers circulates throughout the reservation. The trolley system runs continuously, permitting tourists to disembark and rejoin the circuit at many points of interest.

Even with all the improvements, the Olmsted ideal is still adhered to. A special committee, established at the time of the Reservation’s centennial, works constantly to insure that the Falls’ surroundings remain as natural and as close to Olmsted’s original design as possible. Highways through the park have been removed where necessary, parking lots have been lowered to reduce their impact on the view, and trees, shrubs, and wildflowers have been planted.

The Niagara Reservation is one of North America’s most popular tourist destinations. Constant concern for the needs of its visitors, and a continued commitment to providing free access to the Niagara Falls in their natural state, mean that Niagara’s gift to the world will be enjoyed for generations to come.