Schenectady County, N.Y. — The Schenectady County Legislature today announced plans to expand the Indian Kill Nature Preserve in the Town of Glenville by purchasing 11.82 acres adjoining the existing 128-acre preserve.
“Preserving green space, open space and recreational opportunities for our residents is one of our top priorities,” said Sara Mae Pratt, a member of the County Legislature and the County IDA/Capital Resource Corporation board. “We could not pass up this deal that allows us to expand green space in Glenville and enhance the quality of life for neighbors. It also allows us to reopen the full trail loop in the Nature Preserve that has been blocked.”
The County will pay $75,000 to acquire the property and the Capital Resource Corporation will provide $75,000.
The term Kill is Dutch for stream. The Indian Kill Nature Preserve features streams, ponds, fishing and a loop trial. Part of the trail is currently blocked off as the County does not own the property. Purchasing the 11.8-acre parcel will give the County ownership of the entire parcel and allow the trail to be reopened.
Access to the nature preserve is from a parking area on Hetcheltown Road.
The 11.82-acre parcel was formerly the home of the Woodlin Club. When the swim club was open, the owners allowed full access to the trail in the preserve. Later a private developer purchased the property and blocked access to the trail over liability concerns. The developer proposed building apartments on the former swim club property. The proposed development was opposed by neighbors and was rejected by the Town.
“This purchase by the County gives the homeowners nearby the certainty that this property will remain parkland and green space. The Indian Kill Nature Preserve will grow and continue to be a great recreational space for County residents and visitors alike,” said Michelle Ostrelich, a member of the County Legislature who represents Glenville and Niskayuna.
Gary Hughes, Chairman of the County’s Capital Resource Corporation and Chairman of the County Legislature’s Committee on Economic Development and Planning said, “We thank the developer Mr. Terry Stewart for reaching this agreement to sell the property so that is can be added to the preserve. The developer invested more than $250,000 to acquire the property and to demolish the former swim club. The property is assessed for $300,000 and we appreciate his willingness to sell the property at a discount so that it may be preserved.”
Schenectady County owns three nature preserve areas with almost 900 acres of green space and parkland.
Contact:
Joe McQueen, Director of Communications
(518) 388-4772