Projects

Niagara Falls State Park Transformation Initiative

Niagara Falls State Park Transformation Initiative

Niagara Falls, New York
United States
niagara falls state park

TYLin was the Prime Consultant for the Niagara Falls State Park Transformation Initiative in Niagara Falls, New York.

Working alongside the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (NYSOPRHP), TYLin pioneered the work of a six-firm ensemble for the project, which touched every major aspect of the park.

The five-year, USD 65 million Niagara Falls State Park Transformation Initiative implemented a series of more than 16 full-scale, interconnected projects across 400-plus acres. The park is now a thriving picture of sustainability, state-of-the-art innovation, and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility for the nine million visitors who visit the oldest state park in the United States each year. 

Using the Niagara Falls State Park Landscape Improvement Plan of 2012 as the launch pad for park upgrades, TYLin’s landscape architecture subconsultant crafted the vision for each element, with the firm’s engineering team bringing the designs to reality. 

The project focused on improving scenic vistas, ADA-accessible pathways and trails, the Cave of the Winds experience, plaza gathering areas, infrastructure, parking facilities, lighting systems, pedestrian and vehicle circulation, and service areas. 

Key team leaders met onsite regularly with designers, park managers, project managers, contractors, and construction managers to address complex issues and evolve designs to progress the project. A keen focus on logistics and public safety allowed the park to remain open to visitors throughout construction. 

TYLin completed the Niagara Falls State Park Transformation Initiative within NYSOPRHP’s schedule and budget. 

Project Highlights:

  • Each design is consistent with Frederick Law Olmsted’s original plan to improve public access to the wonder of the Falls while safeguarding the natural and scenic vistas. 
  • Due to the success of the early phases of the project, NYSOPRHP added assignments, funding, and expanded timelines to maximize the park revitalization.
  • TYLin team made significant improvements to park attractions such as Stedman’s Bluff, Terrapin Point, the Gorge Rim Trail, and the Luna Island and Three Sisters Bridges. 
  • Upgrades were made to buildings, parking facilities, lighting systems, pedestrian and vehicle circulation routes, and utility, mechanical, electrical, irrigation, and stormwater systems. 
  • Contributing disciplines for the project included site, civil, geotechnical, structural, mechanical, and electrical engineering; environmental permitting; surveying; landscape architecture; and architecture. 

Services

Awards
Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement (OCEA) Award, 2021
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement, Honor Award, 2021
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
National Honor Award, 2019
American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC)
Diamond Award for Special Projects, 2019
American Council of Engineering Companies of New York (ACEC-NY)
Best of the Best Project Award, 2018
Engineering News-Record (ENR)
Best Renovation/Restoration Project Award, 2018
Engineering News-Record (ENR), New York
Merit Award of Achievement, 2016
American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) New York Upstate Chapter