Waverly Glen Park
Village of Waverly, Tioga County, NY
Nestled in the Village of Waverly, Waverly Glen Park has been a beloved gathering space since the mid-20th century, offering waterfalls, wooded trails, and a community hub for recreation. By the 2010s, however, the park’s amenities were deteriorating: eroded streambanks, a decaying historic pavilion, outdated and inaccessible bathrooms, unsafe playground equipment, and a dangerously narrow park road all signaled the urgent need for renewal.
The Spark
In 2017, the Village of Waverly’s mayor reached out to Tioga County Tourism and Tioga County Economic Development & Planning (EDP) for help revitalizing the park. This outreach was the spark that launched the Waverly Glen Improvements Project. What began as a call for assistance grew into a multi-year, multi-partner effort to restore the park’s safety, accessibility, and vitality.
The Project
The Village, supported by Tioga County Tourism and EDP, secured a New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) grant to begin repairs. The project soon expanded into a true community endeavor:
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Public-Private Collaboration: When the cost of replacing the unsafe bathroom facility exceeded the grant budget, community members and residents stepped up with donations to fund other improvements, including new playground equipment.
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Education and Craftsmanship: Waverly Central School District became a creative partner, with high school architecture students designing and building a stone terraced amphitheater, bandstand/stage, and a small pavilion overlooking the falls. These student-led projects not only provided functional amenities but also honored the park’s rustic character.
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Sustainable Planning: Beyond construction, Tioga County Soil & Water Conservation District is preparing a NYS DEC grant application for a Dry Brook stream corridor assessment to address long-term erosion issues.
Through this layered partnership, the project transformed from a basic facilities upgrade into a comprehensive revitalization rooted in local pride and participation.
Community Impact
Today, Waverly Glen Park serves as a safer, more welcoming community anchor. The site now supports concerts, gatherings, and family recreation in a setting that honors its historic role in Waverly’s civic life.
For the community, the improvements reaffirmed the park as a “quality of life treasure,” continuing traditions of play, performance, and connection across generations.
Equity & Inclusion
From the start, accessibility was a core requirement under OPRHP guidelines.
This translated into tangible features: barrier-free bathrooms, ADA-compliant playground equipment, and improved trails that allow greater mobility. Beyond compliance, the project reinforced Waverly Glen Park’s long-standing role as a free, open, and welcoming public space.
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Outcomes and Benefits
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Replaced unsafe and non-code-compliant facilities with safe, modern amenities
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Built new community gathering spaces, including the amphitheater, stage, and pavilion overlooking the falls
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Installed accessible playground equipment and widened, paved park roads with designated parking
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Created a sustainable model for ongoing operations through pavilion rental fees and future grant opportunities
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Restored the waterfall pool area and streambanks, improving environmental safety
Reflections
For those involved, the project was both personal and professional. One leader reflected:
“It was an honor and a pleasure to be a part of this park project that means so much to the people of Waverly. Waverly Glen is an historic park that has formed many fond memories for those that have been enjoying it since the 1950s and before, and the park is still very much patronized and cherished by the Waverly community today.”
Lessons Learned / Transferable Insights
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Local leadership can ignite transformation when supported by county and state partners
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Community donations and student participation can fill critical funding gaps while deepening ownership
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Parks projects succeed when safety, accessibility, and heritage are addressed together
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Educational partnerships can create lasting value, teaching real-world skills while building enduring community assets
Waverly Glen Park demonstrates the power of collaborative revitalization in small communities. What began as a call to fix failing amenities has blossomed into a renewed, inclusive, and vibrant public space. Today, the park once again reflects the pride and resilience of Waverly, linking generations through memory, nature, and shared investment in place.
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Susan Christopherson Center for Community Planning
Tompkins Center for History and Culture
110 North Tioga St.
Ithaca, NY 14850
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