Developer Frank Parlato Jr. says he wants to give the Town of Hamburg a waterfall.
    Parlato, who previously had offered to sell the property to the town as part of a larger package, now says he wants to give the town the small parcel containing Buttermilk Falls on Hemlock Creek, which flows into 18-Mile Creek.
    The parcel is only about a quarter of an acre, but contains the falls and offers a spectacular view of the 18-Mile Creek gorge some 90 feet below.
    The only stipulation, said Parlato, is that the property be open to the public.
    Parlato said he plans to make a formal offer to the town at the Town Board meeting next Monday.
    Town Supervisor Patrick H. Hoak and Councilman D. Mark Cavalcoli said they are excited by the offer.
    Past proposals from Parlato would cost the town money and contained too many restrictions -- such as 24 hours access -- Cavalcoli said.
    The town would have to make some improvements to the property and there would be liability concerns that would have to be worked out, he said.
    "But it sounds like there is real merit to the proposal and I will
certainly recommend it to my colleagues on the board," Cavalcoli said.
    Hoak said. "It's a generous offer and we're certainly encouraged and excited about it."
    Hamburg already owns land along the creek and is working with the Town of Evans, which owns land along the other side, to improve access, primarily as a fishing area.
    A bridge that once carried Versailles Road over the creek, joins the two parcels and serves as a pedestrian bridge.
    The state Department of Environmental Conservation plans to install a parking area on the Evans side.
    A parking area for seven to 10 cars probably will be constructed in the spring, Thomas Murray, principal fish and wildlife technician, said.
    The section of Versailles Road has been closed for 50 years or more but the bridge still serves as a popular fishing spot and permits pedestrian traffic over the creek.
    The two towns have an agreement to share responsibility for the bridge and once it has been inspected hope to repair the surface and make it handicapped accessible as a fishing area, according to Hamburg Highway Superintendent Richard A. Smith.
    Parlato's site can be reached from above, off of North Creek Road, or below after a fairly easy hike up a trail along the side of the gorge.
    His original proposal also involved about an acre of land he owns on the north side of North Creek Road that could be used for parking. That proposal was never pursued by either side.
    Parlato, who has donated land and worked to preserve other areas for public access, said he has a dream of 100 or more mini nature parks scattered throughout the county.
    He acknowledged that some people question his motives, but insisted his only personal gain is in the form of satisfaction from seeing green space preserved.
    "I suppose you could say that is a selfish motive," he said.
    "You don't need a park every day, but there is a day when you do need a park and it should be there."