New York state workers have completed
several projects in Saratoga Spa State Park
that will increase overall access and recreation.
The improvements, funded through NY
Works, total $839,000 and include a new
picnic shelter with a 75-person capacity, a
comfort station complex near the Peerless
Pool, and a new one-mile bike and pedestrian
trail within the park along Route 9/South
Broadway.
“Saratoga Spa State Park is one of New
York’s most scenic outdoor locations, and
these projects are reinforcing that reputation
by making the park even more enjoyable for
visitors of all ages,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. .
“By building on popular features and investing
in projects that will meet the needs of visitors
today and in the future, we’re creating a more
welcoming park system for all New Yorkers.”
The new Polaris picnic shelter, named after
one of the park’s celebrated mineral springs,
is the ninth rentable picnic shelter at the
park. It is located near the Peerless swimming
pool and playground, and the site also
features a new comfort station, large brick fire
pit, and is accessible for people with mobility
challenges.
“I am thrilled that these improvement projects
have been made at Saratoga Spa State
Park” said Saratoga Springs Mayor Joanne
Yepsen. “These welcomed investments will
enhance our region’s recreation opportunities
and make our beloved state park even more
attractive and vibrant for many more years.”
Completion of the trail along Route 9/
South Broadway adds another mile of paved
bike-pedestrian trail to the park’s expansive
network. The trail links East-West Road to
Marin Avenue, extending the existing trail
along Route 9 from the Avenue of the Pines to
Marin Avenue, and creating a new trail loop
within the park.
As part of the trail expansion project,
construction is also underway on the new
Peerless Loop trail, which will establish a
nearly one-mile paved off-road trail around
the Peerless Pool complex, state officials
said. The Peerless Loop trail is expected to
be completed in the spring.
“Our popular Saratoga Spa picnic pavilions
book up early, so we are pleased to offer a
new option for family reunions, company
outings, birthday parties and other gatherings
in the park,” said State Parks Commissioner
Rose Harvey. “And the new trail segment will
enhance the park’s friendliness for walking,
running and biking.”
The park improvements were identified in
a recent master plan for Saratoga Spa State
Park.
Officials said the park improvements reflect
a statewide revitalization of the park system.
Under the NY Works program, there was $90
million in the 2014-2015 state budget for
park capital improvement projections. This
commitment follows the last two years of the
New York Works initiative, which allocated
$179 million in new capital funds. Together
with additional leveraged funds, NY Works has
supported a total of $421 million to advance
279 capital improvement projects at 109 parks
since 2012, according to the governor’s office.
Shelters are available for public rental
from May through mid-October. Applications
to be placed in a lottery to reserve the picnic
shelters will be accepted from Jan. 2 to Feb.
6. The daily rental fee is $200. Vehicle entry
to the park is not included. After the lottery
deadline, applications will be honored on a
first-come first-serve basis. Call the park office
for more information at 584-2535.
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation
and Historic Preservation oversees 180 state
parks and 35 historic sites. Its website is www.nysparks.com
Photo Courtesy NYS Parks and Recreation