Niagara Falls, N.Y. (WBEN) - As work continues on a project to extend the "Crow’s Nest" at Niagara Falls State Park, State Assemblyman Angelo Morinello raised concerns more than a week ago about a staircase and platform being erected that blocked the view of the American Falls.
Since then, the staircase and platform have been removed, and alternative designs are being thought of.
Morinello said he had just come back from a recent trip when he returned to a number of phone calls regarding the platform.
"I got back on the 11th, I walked over, I believe it was the 12th, saw it, and I was pretty much set back on how it blocked the view," said Morinello in an interview with WBEN. "Later that day, I met with [New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation] Director Mark Mistretta regarding my concerns, and he assured me when he returned from his trip and saw it, he was outraged, and he brought the engineers and consultants together to make some changes."
Based on their conversation and what they felt was needed to be done immediately, they arranged to have the staircase and platform removed.
"Going forward, they are working on an amended design that fits in with the soil conditions, and trying to not block the view," Morinello noted. "He assured me they would be working with me on the design, but that he is a member of the Olmsted Conservatory in that it is something he would have never, never allowed, period."
Morinello said it was atrocious to see the staircase and platform, and that during the construction phase, the original design that was presented to the people did not have a platform in place.
"We have a gift from Mother Nature. To block the view of the natural wonder made me think, 'Do engineers feel that they can do better than God and Mother Nature in creating this?' It really concerned me," Morinello exclaimed. "The other thing that popped in my mind was, 'Is there that little respect for the Falls, the park and the people that come visit?' But I'm assured now there is not little respect.'"
Morinello is just thankful that the timing of this worked in everyone's favor in the end. However, he will continue to stay on it, as work now moves into a redesign for that part of the project.
"I'm not going to say I was the reason they moved that quickly. Whatever the reason is, I appreciate that they moved quickly," Morinello added. "It was within maybe four days of my post. So with all that being said, I'm pleased that they're addressing it. I'm pleased they jumped on it before they could claim it was too late, and they immediately took out the eyesore."
The expansion project of the "Crow's Nest" included the construction of new stairs and an overlook structure that connects the existing "Crow’s Nest" feature to Prospect Point, providing a new close-up view of the American Falls.
The $9 million project is being funded by State Parks capital funding, The Maid of the Mist Corporation, The Niagara River Greenway and the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund. It was set to be completed for the 2026 season.