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Home My WebLink AboutTown of Lansing Scenic Resources Inventory 2021____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 1 Scenic Resources Inventory Prepared by Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 Scenic features in the Town of Lansing are a valued community asset as well as an attractant for tourism and recreation (e.g., photography, birdwatching, hiking, cycling, boating, etc.). The Town of Lansing Comprehensive Plan (2018) has identified a goal to “preserve scenic resources that contribute to the Town’s unique character.” The Town’s Comprehensive Plan also recommends that scenic overlooks and educational signage be developed in parks, neighborhoods, and public spaces. In addition to those stated goals, this Scenic Resources Inventory can also aid in the creation of a Scenic Resources Preservation Plan and is a starting point for enhancing and managing viewsheds to promote a high quality of life for residents and a thriving green economy. Scenic views can encompass large areas, meaning development in one town can compromise scenic vistas for a neighboring township; therefore, protecting the Town of Lansing’s scenic resources will require thoughtful inter-municipal cooperation and coordination. Method of Site Selection Starting with the Tompkins County Scenic Resources Inventory, and through a process of field visits and committee voting, the Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council compiled an inventory of 42 scenic resources within the municipal boundaries of the Town of Lansing. Maps 1 and 2 show point representations of the locations divided into two regions: 1) North Lansing, and 2) South Lansing. Twenty locations were classified as Distinctive; distinctive views make a clear, unmistakable impression, and are distinguished as some of the best scenic views in Tompkins County. Examples include cliffs, gorges, waterfalls, and other more expansive views. Twenty two locations were classified as Noteworthy; noteworthy views are worthy of attracting attention, and are better than many of the scenic views in the Town of Lansing (e.g., vistas, distant hillsides, lake views, ponds and wetlands, farm fields). This document is organized by distinctive views first, then by noteworthy views. Some locations on the maps are not presented here, but were considered during our evaluation process. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 2 Distinctive and Noteworthy View locations in North Lansing: ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 3 Distinctive and Noteworthy View locations in South Lansing: July 2021 page 4 Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway The Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway is an 87-mile driving loop encircling Cayuga Lake, and passing through the Town of Lansing via state routes 34 and 34B (starting at Sun Path Road at the southernmost edge and extending north to the Cayuga County line). It is known for beautiful views of fall foliage, pastoral hillsides, vineyards, and quaint communities. The Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway is under consideration as a separate environmental overlay district and outside of the scope of this Scenic Resources Index; however, this index does include five points lying directly on the byway that occur within the Town of Lansing. For example, site 38 at the intersection of routes 34 and 34B is near the historic inn and restaurant Rogues Harbor Inn, which is on the National Register of Historic Places (identifier # 75322518; https://catalog.archives.gov/id/75322518). Other scenic locations lie just off of the driving route but contribute to its viewshed. For example, Myers Park is a stop on the Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway’s “Birding Trail” and also a premier destination for outdoor recreation, camping, family gatherings, and lake access for paddlers. Therefore, although the byway is an intermunicipal resource for the promotion of tourism, its inclusion gives relevant context to many of the points in this Scenic Resource Index. Viewshed Analysis A viewshed is a computer-generated model of the view of an area from a specific vantage point, taking into account topography, vegetation conditions, and vegetation height. Viewsheds enable a planner to consider the full extent of the visual impact of new development. In this way, a “view” is more than a mere point on a map; it is the entirety of the scenic landscape that makes up the aesthetic experience. Together with data on land cover and biological diversity, viewsheds can be a valuable tool for prioritizing preservation areas and creating scenic overlooks. Currently, a majority of the designated scenic resources in the Town of Lansing are located on private land, although several are already in a preserved status (e.g., Edwards Lake Cliff Preserve, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Salt Point, Ludlowville Falls, Myers Park). This index contains viewshed analyses for the 20 distinctive views in the Town of Lansing. Viewshed maps in this document make use of both vegetated and vegetation-free modeling conditions depending on the character of the view (i.e., intimate views versus sweeping long-distance views). Thus, the maps are an informed approximation of what viewers might reasonably expect to see under current development conditions in a variety of seasons. The modeled condition is indicated in the legend of each map; that is, each viewshed map is labeled indicating if the view depicted is “leaf on” or “leaf off.” Maps marked as "leaf on" depict what a person could see standing on the marked spot on a typical summer day. Maps marked as "leaf off" depict what a person could see standing on the marked spot if there were no vegetative leaf cover (e.g. in winter). Models are based on the best available geospatial information, and may not precisely reflect current ground conditions. We recognize that the dynamic nature of seasonal landscapes affects visibility, such as autumn leaf drop, spring greenup, and winter snow cover. The spatial data are on file in a geographic information system held by the Town of Lansing planning board; please contact tolcodes@lansingtown.com for access to the spatial data. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 5 Resources and References Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway website. https://cayugalake.com/. Accessed March 28, 2021. National Register of Historic Places. https://catalog.archives.gov/id/75322518. Accessed May 12, 2021. Tompkins County Scenic Resources Inventory. 2007. Published by Peter J. Smith and Company, Inc. https://tompkinscountyny.gov/files2/planning/nri/documents/TCSRreportJan17.pdf Tompkins County Protecting Our Scenic Resources: Tools to safeguard important scenic resources. 2010. Published by Tompkins County Planning Department. https://tompkinscountyny.gov/files2/planning/nri/documents/ScenicResourcesProtectionDec2010_000. pdf Town of Lansing Comprehensive Plan. 2018. Approved by the Lansing Town Board, May 2, 2018. https://lfweb.tompkins-co.org/WebLink/Browse.aspx?startid=%2028050&dbid=7&cr=1 Tompkins County Scenic Resources Inventory. 2007. Published by Peter J. Smith and Company, Inc. https://tompkinscountyny.gov/files2/planning/nri/documents/TCSRreportJan17.pdf Tompkins County Protecting Our Scenic Resources: Tools to safeguard important scenic resources. 2010. Published by Tompkins County Planning Department. https://tompkinscountyny.gov/files2/planning/nri/documents/ScenicResourcesProtectionDec2010_000. pdf ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 6 Distinctive Views in the Town of Lansing Site 1 View looking north from offshore (Cayuga Lake Blueway Trail) near Nut Ridge Rd, offshore of Bell Station land; an area of undeveloped shoreline and mature forest. Coordinates: 42.6151, -76.6422 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 7 Site 1 Viewshed Analysis ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 8 Site 9 View to the west of Locke Road of a swamp, marsh and beaver pond complex, dividing the Owasco Lake (Hemlock Creek) and Cayuga Lake (Locke Creek) watersheds. The wetlands view extends from the intersection of Breed and Locke Rd and continues NE along Locke Rd for approximately 1 mile. Coordinates: 42.6137, -76.4743 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 9 Site 9 Viewshed Analysis ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 10 Site 13 Expansive views of agricultural strip cropping, looking southeast over hillside terrain from Lockerby Hill Rd. Salmon Creek lies below. Coordinates: 42.5930, -76.5412 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 11 Site 13 Viewshed Analysis ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 12 Site 15 Locke Creek Gorge. Beautiful views up and down this small gorge, a tributary of Salmon Creek Coordinates: 42.5881, -76.5108 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 13 Site 15 Viewshed Analysis ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 14 Site 16 Pastoral view from crest of hill on Newman Rd. of Salmon Creek Valley with former Faith Bible Fellowship Church and cemetery in foreground Coordinates: 42.5971, -76.4913 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 15 Site 16 Viewshed Analysis ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 16 Site 18 Cayuga Lake view to the west at northwestern edge of Cornell Orchards on Sweazey Rd Coordinates: 42.5737, -76.5938 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 17 Site 18 Viewshed Analysis ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 18 Site 20 Offshore (Cayuga Lake Blueway Trail), includes views of caves and seasonal waterfalls along the lake and extends for at least 1 mile along the shoreline. Taughannock Falls State Park is directly across from this area on the western shore of the lake. Coordinates: 42.5588, -76.5876 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 19 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 20 Site 20 Viewshed Analysis ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 21 Site 21 View at sunset looking south toward Ithaca from Lansingville Rd. Coordinates: 42.5634, -76.5477 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 22 Site 21 Viewshed Analysis ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 23 Site 23 Expansive views looking west toward Salmon Creek valley at the intersection of Searles Rd. and Conlon Rd. Coordinates: 42.5668, -76.5139 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 24 Site 23 Viewshed Analysis ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 25 Site 26 View to the south on route 34B near Pine Grove Cemetery, approaching bridge over Salmon Creek, on Scenic Byway. Coordinates: 42.5544, -76.5451 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 26 Site 26 Viewshed Analysis ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 27 Site 27 Ludlowville Falls and Salmon Creek in spring and winter, respectively, from Ludlowville Town Park. Coordinates: 42.5547, -76.5372 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 28 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 29 Site 27 Viewshed Analysis ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 30 Site 33 Salt Point, the site of a former salt production facility, is now owned by NYS DEC and managed by the Town of Lansing as a wildlife area. Views are looking WNW, and WSW, respectively. Coordinates: 42.5389, -76.5503 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 31 Site 33 Viewshed Analysis ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 32 Site 34 Myers Point Town Park looking west and south, respectively. Park consists of 31 acres of grass covered, tree shaded land, bordering Salmon Creek and includes extensive Cayuga Lake frontage. Coordinates: 42.5370, -76.5493 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 33 Site 34 Viewshed Analysis ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 34 Site 37 View from just east of Lansing United Methodist Church looking west on Scenic Byway Coordinates: 42.5435, -76.5256 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 35 Site 37 Viewshed Analysis ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 36 Site 42 Edwards Preserve trails, which include a beautiful mature forest, gorge and waterfalls. Coordinates 42.5245, -76.5162 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 37 Site 42 Viewshed Analysis ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 38 Site 43 Teeter Rd at the top of hill looking SW-NW towards Cayuga Lake. Coordinates 42.5214, -76.5129 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 39 Site 43 Viewshed Analysis ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 40 Site 46 Looking northwest from the intersection of Triphammer Rd. and Waterwagon Rd. over fields toward lake Coordinates: 42.5161, -76.4915 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 41 Site 46 Viewshed Analysis ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 42 Site 48 Blackchin Overlook Village Park (Village of Lansing) view NW at parking area and trailhead to Cayuga Lake Coordinates 42.5051, -76.5153 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 43 Site 48 Viewshed Analysis ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 44 Site 54 Expansive view from SW to NW of large fields, pond, Cayuga Lake to the northwest (not shown) and hills west of Cayuga Lake from Triphammer Road just south of Burdick Hill Rd. View continues along Triphammer Road for approximately ½ mile. Coordinates: 42.50, -76.49 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 45 Site 54 Viewshed Analysis ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 46 Site 59 Sapsucker Woods (Cornell Lab of Ornithology), where there are several short hiking trails around this bird sanctuary with mature woods, wetlands and several ponds. Coordinates: 42.4797, -76.4543 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 47 Site 59 Viewshed Analysis ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 48 Noteworthy Views in the Town of Lansing Site 2 View of agricultural fields looking southwest from Nut Ridge Rd, near Lake Ridge Road, showing upper Bell Station land. Coordinates: 42.62, -76.62 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 49 Site 3 Snushall Rd with view to the west of Seneca County hills Coordinates: 42.62, -76.57 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 50 Site 4 View from Lansingville Rd. to the east, looking across the Salmon Creek valley Coordinates: 42.6175, -76.5553 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 51 Site 5 Views up and down Salmon Creek Valley from Lansingville Rd. Coordinates: 42.6041, -76.5544 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 52 Site 6 View looking south down Salmon Creek Valley from the intersection of Holden Rd. and Brooks Hill Rd. Coordinates: 42.6067, -76.5232 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 53 Site 7 Distant views from Decamp Rd to the south and west. Coordinates: 42.6107, -76.5127 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 54 Site 8 Woods and fields with Connecticut Hill (highest point in the county) in the far distance, from Locke Rd. Coordinates: 42.6117, -76.4892 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 55 Site 11 On Algerine Rd with view of barn (not shown), fields and Cayuga Lake Coordinates: 42.5892, -76.6075 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 56 Site 12 Expansive views from west side of Salmon Creek valley on Lockerby Hill Rd. Coordinates: 42.5951, -76.5447 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 57 Site 17 Looking south on Cayuga Lake from Lansing Station Road area on Cayuga Lake Blueway Trail. Coordinates: 42.5712, -76.6039 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 58 Site 19 View of the Salmon Creek Valley from Munson Rd. Coordinates: 42.5819, -76.4858 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 59 Site 28 The bridge in Ludlowville on Ludlowville Rd. This looks out onto a flat, wide tree-lined creek with a pebbly bottom clearly visible. Very scenic in both directions. Coordinates 42.5512, -76.5378 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 60 Site 29 Salmon Creek fishing access point. 90-degree view looking at creek and hillside. Coordinates: 42.5522 -76.5342 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 61 Site 30 Intersection of Buck Rd and Wilson Rd. with a nice view over a long open field, from which you can also see distant hills. Coordinates: 42.5494, -76.5233 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 62 Site 31 Long views from Conlon Rd. of farm fields tapering down towards the lake and distant hillsides. Coordinates: 42.5533, -76.5125 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 63 Site 32 View from the water on Cayuga Blueway Trail, looking at Salt Point Natural Area. Coordinates: 42.54, -76.56 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 64 Site 35 Near the top of Myers Hill looking down to Cayuga Lake, with view of osprey nest and birdhouses in foreground, and lake view in background. This small parcel is rich in wildlife. The very bottom of the hill is a snapping turtle nesting location. Coordinates 42.5378, -76.5406 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 65 Site 36 Lakeshore Road, past Ladoga wetland with a nice lake view from the level of the lake. Coordinates 42.5435 -76.5378 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 66 Site 38 Historic Rogues Harbor Inn at the corner of Rt. 34 and 34B on Scenic Byway. The Inn, built in 1830, is on the National Register of Historic Places. It is a former stage coach inn and was a rumored stop on the Underground Railroad. Coordinates: 42.5380, -76.5069 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 67 Site 39 Lansing Center Trail- beautiful field and nice town trail resource, with parking and view looking north. Coordinates: 42.5386, -76.4976 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Scenic Resources Inventory: Town of Lansing Conservation Advisory Council July 2021 page 68 Site 41 View from on Cayuga Lake near salt mine, on Cayuga Blueway Trail (no picture). Site 43 Views over fields west to Cayuga Lake and Edwards Preserve trailhead off Teeter Rd. Coordinates 42.5210, -76.5161