The Lake Erie Concord Grape Belt Area was designated as New York State’s 19th Heritage Area in 2006 by state legislation. The New York State Heritage Area Program is operated by the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historical Preservation (OPRHP) and recognizes places with unique qualities of geography, history, and culture that create a distinctive identity that becomes the focus of the heritage area goals. This was the first Heritage Area to have a primary focus on its agricultural heritage.

The designation requires the development of a Management Plan within four years to receive permanent Heritage Area status. The Concord Grape Belt Heritage Association in partnership with the Town of Westfield, Chautauqua County Department of Planning and Economic Development, NY State Department of State, NYS OPRHP, area municipalities, industry leaders and many other volunteers are working to complete the plan. You can learn more by following the links associated with this page.

Management plan for the Concord Grape Belt Heritage Area
(7MB PDF)