Land that was previously owned by Wells College has been donated to the village of Aurora for the creation of a public park supported by the $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative.
Grace Bates, an Aurora resident and member of the Finger Lakes Land Trust, acquired the property from Wells College. The parcel, which is along Cayuga Lake at the southern end of the village, has four acres of upland and 1,100 feet of frontage on the lake. Bald eagles are among the animals with a presence on the land.
Bates bought the property with the goal of establishing a lakeside park. She donated a conservation easement to the Finger Lakes Land Trust before donating the property to the village this spring, according to public records.
"There is no doubt in my mind that this is the most exciting thing I have ever been a part of," Bates said in a statement. "With the help of villagers and friends, we have created a park in Aurora along the shore at the south end of the village. This park will protect wildlife habitat, preserve scenic views and provide village and visitor access to Cayuga Lake forever."
The park is one of the nine projects selected for the $10 million DRI grant awarded to the villages of Aurora, Cayuga and Union Springs. The state awarded $773,000 for the creation of the waterfront park.
Mayor Jim Orman said the partnership with Bates and the Finger Lakes Land Trust will help "revitalize the village of Aurora."
"This will now provide the village with public access to the lake for families to gather safely," he added.
The addition of the park will add to the Finger Lakes Land Trust's efforts along Cayuga Lake. According to the organization, it has conserved nearly three miles of shoreline on the lake.
Government reporter Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 664-4631 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on X @RobertHarding.
