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New York State Parks: $2.4M upgrade completed at Big Six Mile Creek Marina

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Tue, Jun 28th 2022 03:25 pm

Grand Island site features numerous upgrades

On Monday, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation celebrated the reopening of the Big Six Mile Creek Marina on Grand Island following a $2.4 million renovation project.

Niagara Region Director Mark Mistretta said, “This modernized marina will now add to the already outstanding recreational opportunities on Grand Island. State Parks has accomplished a lot here, but there are more plans underway – connecting the marina to the West River Shoreline Trail and providing fishing access down to the pier in the river. We are grateful for Montana International, who manages the marina on behalf of State Parks, and we hope that all the slipholders and other members of the public enjoy the renewed facility.”

This project involved upgrades to expand the parking lot, modernizing drainage and electrical systems, improving landscaping with native species, and rehabilitating the existing building/restrooms (including making them fully accessible). Environmental site improvements included removing a buried fuel tank, installing an above-ground fuel tank, and modernizing the sanitary sand filter. Located on the Niagara River, this marina provides 125 seasonal boat slips, four transient slips, a public launch for boating and fishing access, gasoline and oil sales, and ice and pump out service.

The marina is operated under an agreement with New York State Parks by Montana International.

New York State Sen. Sean Ryan said, “As we get outdoors and enjoy our beautiful summer weather in Western New York, the renovated Big Six Mile Creek Marina will be a destination for Grand Island residents and all those who love to get out on the water. Thanks to a major state-funded improvement project, the new marina features significant upgrades to better serve the public and improve the marina experience. My thanks to New York State Parks and Montana International for moving this great project forward.”

Assemblyman Angelo Morinello said, “I would like to thank Gov. Hochul and the New York State Parks for their commitment to the modernization of this marina. Grand Island is home to many ecotourism opportunities, and Big Six Marina is the perfect place to begin an adventure on the Niagara River. I look forward to continued development of our recreational opportunities here on Grand Island.“

New York Power Authority Regional Manager and Senior Vice President Daniella Piper said, “The Power Authority is proud to support the great work by State Parks on the Big Six Marina, as well as many other recent recreational improvements at Western New York Parks made possible through the 2007 relicensing of NYPA’s flagship Niagara Power Project. Expanding access to the waterfront and promoting environmental stewardship preserves and enhances experiences now and for future generations.”

Cyndy Montana, owner/operator of Montana International, said, “It is an honor to operate this marina and it is exciting to have a ‘new’ facility for our slipholders. Between the work that State Parks has done and the programming we plan to bring, I am confident that Big Six Marina will be the place to be summer after summer.”

Funding for the project was provided through Niagara River Greenway and the New York Works program. The modernization of this marina comes on the heels of the completion of several projects to restore the ecological health of the Niagara River and the surrounding habitat making for improved fishing, birding and other recreational opportunities. Additionally, the marina is located adjacent to the eight-mile West River Shoreline Trail, which connects Beaver Island State Park to Buckhorn Island State Park.

Construction was completed by Nova Site Company. C&S Engineers was the construction managers. The project was designed by Bergmann Associates.

State Parks oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses and boat launches, which, in 2021, were visited by record 78.4 million people. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit www.parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer mobile app, or call 518-474-0456.

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