Open Space Institute Purchases Homestead to Improve Buttermilk Falls State Park Access

The Open Space Institute (OSI) has acquired a four-acre property in Tompkins County, New York, for $1.3 million from the Margaret M. Rumsey Trust to enhance access and trails at Buttermilk Falls State Park. OSI plans to eventually transfer the land to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

Acquisition Details and Historical Significance

• Location: Situated between the current park entrance and Route 13 in Tompkins County, New York.
• Purchase Price: $1.3 million paid by OSI to the Margaret M. Rumsey Trust, according to the organization's website.
• Property Background: Features a Federal-style brick house built around 1825, which was later operated as the Buttermilk Falls Bed and Breakfast by Margaret Rumsey until a few years before her death in 2021.

Planned Future Uses

• Access and Traffic: The site is expected to support a redesigned park gateway, reconfigured parking, improved traffic circulation, and better wayfinding for a park that draws nearly 400,000 visitors annually.
• Trail Integration: The parcel could host a new trailhead connecting to broader regional initiatives, including the in-development Black Diamond Trail expansion aimed at linking several Finger Lakes parks.
• Staff Housing: OSI reports that the existing structure may potentially house AmeriCorps service members supporting regional parks.

Next Steps and Verification

OSI stated that the property will remain closed to the public during its initial ownership period while the organization maintains the structures and collaborates with state parks officials to assess future requirements. The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation has identified the conservation of this parcel as a high priority. Details of the acquisition and regional conservation efforts can be verified through official announcements by the Open Space Institute and state park authorities.