The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the scheduled closure of the boardwalk at Great Baehre Swamp Wildlife Management Area (WMA), including the town of Amherst’s Billy Wilson Park boardwalk in DEC Region 9, to complete construction repair work.
Construction work is expected to begin on Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, and continue for an estimated three weeks. The entirety of the boardwalk will be closed to public access during construction. Access will be closed from the south, along Hopkins Road, to the town of Amherst’s Billy Wilson Park. DEC recommends avoiding these areas during the repair construction work.
WMAs are lands owned by New York State under the management of DEC's Division of Fish and Wildlife. These lands are acquired primarily for wildlife habitat, as well as providing wildlife-based recreational opportunities. WMAs provide exceptional areas for the public to interact with a wide variety of wildlife species. There are 123 WMAs across the state, comprising approximately 235,000 acres. Since the early 1900s, the WMA program established permanent public access to lands in New York State for the conservation and promotion of its fish and wildlife resources.
The Great Baehre Swamp WMA comprises 270 acres of State land adjacent to the town of Amherst’s Billy Wilson Park. The land was acquired in 1989 by DEC with funding provided by the Environmental Quality Bond Act of 1986. Under a stewardship agreement, the town of Amherst constructed a 1,300-foot boardwalk through the areas to connect State land to the neighboring park as mitigation for wetland impacts.
New Yorkers are encouraged to Love Our New York Lands at Great Baehre Swamp and all natural spaces by practicing Leave No Trace™ principles and by recreating safely, sustainably, and hiking in suitable conditions based on weather and experience level.
Maps and additional information about Great Baehre Swamp WMA can be found on DEC’s website.
