Staff Report / May 24, 2026
A new waterfront destination celebrating both local history and outdoor recreation has officially opened along Keuka Lake in Hammondsport. Community leaders, state officials, and residents recently gathered for the dedication of Glenn H. Curtiss Park, a project designed to expand public access to the lake while honoring one of the Finger Lakes region’s most influential historical figures.
Located along the Keuka Lake inlet in the Town of Urbana, the new park commemorates Glenn H. Curtiss, the Hammondsport resident widely recognized as a pioneering aviator, inventor, and founder of the American aviation industry. Curtiss achieved the first publicly announced flight in the United States in 1909 and later earned the title “Father of Naval Aviation” for his contributions to military flight development.
The park is the result of a years-long effort to transform a former railroad property and landfill into a public recreational space. According to project organizers, volunteers contributed thousands of hours clearing overgrown vegetation and preparing the site for redevelopment. The completed park includes shoreline access, walking paths, connections to neighboring public spaces, and an ADA-accessible kayak and canoe launch.
State officials said the project received more than $1.26 million through New York’s Local Waterfront Revitalization Program, along with funding from the Town of Urbana. The improvements also connect Glenn H. Curtiss Park with nearby Champlin Beach through pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, including a recently completed bridge, boardwalks, and shared-use pathways along the waterfront.
Town officials described the opening as the culmination of a vision that began nearly two decades ago. The park represents the second phase of a broader initiative to improve public access along Keuka Lake and strengthen connections between waterfront destinations in Hammondsport. Additional improvements are already planned, including a replacement of the aging Champlin Beach pier with a new ADA-compliant dock system intended to enhance boating access and support local tourism.
The opening of Glenn H. Curtiss Park adds another attraction to the Hammondsport area, a community already known for its aviation heritage, wineries, and lakefront recreation. Local leaders say the project will serve both residents and visitors while preserving the legacy of a man whose innovations helped shape the future of flight.
