In a letter sent yesterday, Assemblyman Angelo J. Morinello (R,C,I,Ref-Niagara Falls) offered Gov. Cuomo an alternative to his proposed construction of a year-round lodge on Niagara Falls’s Goat Island. The governor’s proposal comes with pushback from the residents of Niagara Falls, who wish to see the island remain true to its original design as a historic preserve. Frederick Law Olmsted, the original founder of the Goat Island vision, wished for the area to remain a park where visitors could observe the beauty of the falls and experience the same natural wonder he experienced upon discovery.

“I applaud the governor and his innovation to create a destination where visitors can experience all that the Niagara Reservation has to offer,” said Morinello. “However, it is my opinion that this proposed lodge be built in DeVeaux Woods Park. The DeVeaux Woods location offers much of the beauty of Goat Island while taking into account the reservations many Niagara Falls residents hold.”

The DeVeaux Woods Park would offer visitors access to both hiking and biking in native woods as well as proximity to both the Gorge and the Falls. The location of the park also has the benefits of an international train station within walking distance, direct access to Whirlpool State Park and can serve as anchor for nearby Main Street. A shift from Goat Island to DeVeaux Woods would not only prove to be a desirable tourist attraction, but also positively stimulate the economy of the surrounding area. The transfer would serve as a win-win for all parties involved.

“The prospect of investment in our community by the governor is exciting and one I am thankful for,” said Morinello. “It is my hope that we can work together to use his team’s vision in coordination with the insight of our local residents, and create a tourist destination that is beneficial to both travelers from across the globe and local residents. I look forward to his consideration of my proposal.”