Senator Helming Secures $200,000 for Upgrades at Fair Haven State Park

GENEVA – Senator Pam Helming today announced that she has secured $200,000 in Capital Assistance money to improve the entrance and parking lot at Fair Haven Beach State Park. The funding comes at the request of officials in the Town of Sterling and the Village of Fair Haven, who have identified the park as an asset for the local economy and tourism and highlighted the need to perform this work. The funding will cover the material cost of resurfacing the entrance road and the West Beach parking lot. The park plans to patch the worst areas of the entrance this year and execute a contract to complete the remainder of the work next year.

“Nestled on the southeastern corner of Lake Ontario, Fair Haven Beach State Park provides a spectacular view of the water as well as numerous opportunities for recreation during all four seasons. Many local residents and out-of-town visitors alike travel to the park each year to spend the day or camp overnight and enjoy all that the park has to offer. Fair Haven Beach State Park is an important asset to our region’s tourism industry as well as a critical source for economic development. This funding will help maintain the park property so that it will continue to attract the countless patrons who come every year. Thank you to Finger Lakes Regional Director Fred Bonn and officials from the Village of Fair Haven and Town of Sterling for their partnership on this matter, and best of luck with the coming project,” Senator Helming said.

Fair Haven Village Mayor Jim Basile said, “We are grateful to have had the support and leadership of Senator Helming, along with the recognition in Albany of the economic importance of investing in this local and regional asset. The funding will go a long way towards recovering the quality of the parks access.”

Sterling Town Supervisor June Smith said, “The Fair Haven Beach State Park is one of the many natural attractions and advantages in the Town of Sterling. The Sterling Town Board voted affirmatively on a resolution to support Senator Helming’s efforts in acquiring funding for the much-needed repair of the park's entrance road and parking lots. It is important to maintain the park’s access and hopefully even improve it with a greenway walk/bike path from the Fair Haven Village sidewalks to the park’s sidewalks near the parking lots. Thank you, Senator Helming, for your successful efforts.”

The upgrades to the entrance and parking lot at Fair Haven Beach State Park follow other recent improvements that have been made to the park. The East and West Bathhouses were renovated last year, and the park is scheduled to receive two new playgrounds this year as well as new, modern cabins. Fair Haven Beach State Park includes 1,119 acres with 1500 feet of sand beach and receives as well as two swimming beaches, a boat launch, 183 campsites, 33 cabins, and four cottages. It draws 275,000 visitors each year.