ITHACA, N.Y. (WENY) -- The Finger Lakes Land Trust announced on Thursday, Nov. 14th the non-profit has acquired 23 acres of land in the Town of Ulysses from the Cayuga Nature Center. The property is located along the Black Diamond Trail at the Houghton Rd. crossing, and is a mix of meadows and woodlands. 

“This is a terrific addition to the Black Diamond,” said FLLT President Andrew Zepp in a prepared statement, adding, “With each passing year, more and more people are getting out to enjoy this multi-use trail. We’re delighted to have the opportunity to work with our partners at State Parks to continue to enhance this outstanding resource.”

According to the FLLT, they plan to transfer the land to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. The Black Diamond Trail is an 8.4-mile multi-use trail network that connects Taughannock Falls State Park in Trumansburg and Cass Park in Ithaca, and is already under the purview of the State Parks Dept. 

“Again, the Finger Lakes Land Trust has stepped up to support State Parks,” said Fred Bonn, regional director for Finger Lakes State Parks in a prepared statement, adding “In this instance, their efforts will enable us to address a critical need for the Black Diamond Trail, namely a mid-point parking lot and bathroom facility like the one currently being constructed at Taughannock Falls. Parks looks forward to acquiring this parcel from the FLLT and then moving into design and construction in the next few years.”