Every spring, Niagara Falls State Park employees work on rock scaling operations along the wall of the Niagara Gorge adjacent to the American Falls. The workers are removing loose rocks, ice and debris that have built up over the winter months that could pose a danger to the safe operations of walkways, picnic sites, trail hiking and access to the lower observation decks. Pictured here, from left, are Jerel Rozanski, Park Worker 3, and Nick Santiago, Parks & Rec Aide 7. See story, page 8. (Photos by Chris Sodano II, Parks & Rec Aide 5)
Photo above: Pat Josker, Park Worker 3, uses a pike pole to loosen debris, rocks and ice from the walls of the Niagara River gorge. (Photo by Chris Sodano II,Parks & Rec Aide 5)
Niagara Falls — As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, many New Yorkers are turning to state and local parks to alleviate stress and get some recreation.
This influx of traffic at our state and local parks has caused an attendance spike throughout the state and nation, including the Niagara Falls State Park.
While many New York State Park grounds, forests and trails are currently open for passive recreation, the state continues to urge residents to stay home during this public health crisis. The state is also asking park visitors to choose parks close to home and practice social distancing and other safe practices.
For CSEA members who are responsible for maintaining the parks, the spring has been busier than ever.
The Niagara State Parks Commission, which boasts more than 20 parks and historic sites throughout Western New York, has more annual visitors than any other region in New York State. That has put CSEA members in overdrive, making sure the parks are ready for the upcoming tourist season just around the corner.
“Every year in late March and early April, we gear up to get the parks ready for the warmer months and bigger crowds,” CSEA Niagara Parks Local President John Elia said.
Elia said employees are working very hard at rock scaling operations, cleaning pavilions and rest rooms, doing lawn maintenance, tree trimming, planting thousands of bulbs and generally sprucing up everything in sight.
“We have tried to keep our focus on the job at hand,” said Elia. “We are coming to work and getting the job done, in the midst of all these other challenges we are facing on a day-to-day basis.”
One of the more dramatic tasks performed by CSEA members this time of year is a rock scaling operation, where park employees rappel down the Niagara gorge some 200 feet above the bed of the raging Niagara River.
Donning helmets and protective gear, workers use pike poles to remove any loose rock and debris that have built up over the winter months. The work is carried out to make it safe for visitors who use walkways, picnic areas, hiking trails and the lower observation decks. The work usually takes just over a week and will continue until completion, weather permitting.
“Our crew is beyond brave and courageous when they do this work,” Elia said. “It takes an enormous amount of skill and intestinal fortitude to do rock scaling, and they never fail to get it right every time.”
Throughout the winter, water can creep into the crevices of the rock and through the freezing process slowly loosen pieces of rock as the frozen water expands, which then poses a danger to people occupying spaces below. Ice-jacking is the name of the process that loosens the rocks on the gorge face.
Once the rock scaling has been completed, an inspection is made to make sure everything is safe for visitors and park employees. Each winter, the lower observation decks are closed to the public to ensure visitors are safe from ice and possible rock falls.
“All we are trying to do is keep some normalcy here for visitors and our staff alike,” said Elia. “So far, we are doing exactly that.”
— Ove Overmyer
