DEC Announces Temporary Closure of Great Baehre Swamp Wildlife Management Area for Upgrades

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) to complete repairs. The closure includes the town of Amherst's Billy Wilson Park boardwalk in Erie County.

Construction is expected to begin on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, and continue for approximately three weeks. The entirety of the boardwalk will be closed to public access while construction is completed. 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 construction.

Any construction delays or updates will be added to DEC's Great Baehre Swamp WMA webpage.

The Great Baehre Swamp WMA comprises 270 acres of State land adjacent to the town's Billy Wilson Park. DEC acquired the land in 1989 with funding provided by the Environmental Quality Bond Act of 1986. As mitigation for wetland impacts, the town of Amherst, under a stewardship agreement, constructed a 1,300-foot boardwalk through the area, connecting State land to the neighboring park.

Wildlife Management Areas 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 for 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 establishes permanent public access to lands in New York State for the conservation and promotion of its fish and wildlife resources.

New Yorkers are encouraged to Love Our New York Lands at Great Baehre Swamp WMA 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.