Griffis Sculpture Park – East Otto, New York - Atlas Obscura
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Griffis Sculpture Park

East Otto, New York

A collection of unique outdoor sculptures surounded by the beauty of nature. 

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Situated on 425 acres in Cattaraugus County, New York’s Griffis Sculpture Park was one of the first sculpture parks in the United States, and today this outdoor museum is now home to over 250 individual works by more than 50 artists.

Larry W. Griffis Jr. started the park in 1966 and founded the Ashford Hollow Foundation for the Visual and Performing Arts. The Foundation, now headed by Griffis’s son, maintains the sculpture park. The park is filled with Griffis’s original sculptures, as well as the work of Leon Gerst, Duayne Hatchett, Tony Patterson, and Glenn Zweygert.

The park is not only a a venue for unique sculptures, but it also serves as a nature preserve, making it a one of a kind chance to view the beauty created by both man and nature. Many sculptures accent the trails, surprising pedestrians in a meadow and along a pond. The park questions the boundaries between viewer and art, visitors are even encouraged to touch and play on the sculptures.

Know Before You Go

US 90 (NYS Thruway) to exit 55 - Route 219.Route 219 South to end (approx 24.5 miles). LEFT 0.2 miles then RIGHT onto continuation of 219 South. Approx. 8 miles on 219 to Ashford Hollow (speed limit 45). RIGHT onto Ahrens Road (Carsons Ashford House and Park sign on corner).Stay straight Approx. 2.7 miles to County Road 75 (Mill Valley Rd.). Turn LEFT and go 1.5 miles to Park entrance (on left).There are two distinct sections of the park. The directions above are to the main site, with plaques with information on admission fees and trail maps. The other site is on Mill Valley Rd. closer to Ashton Hollow. It has a smaller parking lot and no bathrooms or port-a-potties. Take photos of the trail maps or consult s trail website before you set out, as trail maps are posted sparingly. The names of the many sculptors are also shared sparingly. Bring water for long climbs on hot days. Closes for the year on the 31st of October.

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