The competing needs of industry and tourism heightened throughout the 19^th Century and led to another major transformation at the foot of Falls Street in 1885.

Rapid industrial growth came at a price to the natural beauty of Niagara Falls.  Nearly all the shoreline property along the Niagara River and every viewing area of the Falls was privately owned, as mills and factories continued to expand.

In 1860, the “Free Niagara” Movement was founded, led by America’s first landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted.  The group’s goal called for restoring and preserving the Falls on the premise that the natural beauty of the land surrounding them should be protected from private exploitation and be fully free for the public’s use.

In July 1885, after 15 years of pushing state leaders toward this goal, the State of New York passed laws to issue bonds for the establishment of the “Niagara Reservation” (now Niagara Falls State Park).  This action provided funds to purchase, clear and restore the natural landscape around the Falls by creating New York’s first State Park.  Niagara Falls State Park is now the oldest existing State Park in the nation.  It is on the State and National Registers of Historic Places and is also designated as a National Historic Landmark. 

A parade to the Reservation’s entrance at the foot of Falls Street marked the opening of full unencumbered public access to the brink of Falls.  In 1887, Olmsted issued a supplemental report detailing plans to restore the Falls and its surroundings. This included scenic roadways, paths and shelters designed to protect the landscape while allowing large numbers of visitors to enjoy the Falls.