SARANAC LAKE — The Adirondack Land Trust’s plans to build new accessible trails at two Tri-Lakes reservations received a $3 million federal funding boost last week.
The funding for the Northern Border Regional Commission was announced June 27 by Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-NY, as part of a broader $7.5 million package that sent federal money to six organizations in six northern New York counties.
The $3 million cash injection from the ALT will be used to fund two accessible trail system projects the nonprofit is working to get off the ground: one at Glenview Preserve on State Route 86 in Harrietstown and another at an unnamed preserve on Adirondack Loj Road in Lake Placid.
With this new federal grant, both projects are now about half funded, according to ALT Director of Communications Connie Prickett. The total combined cost of the two projects is $4 million.
“This is the largest grant in the history of the Adirondack Land Trust and speaks volumes about the urgent need for accessible wilderness trails to expand access to nature for disadvantaged residents and visitors,” the nonprofit wrote in a statement last week. “We are deeply grateful to the committee for investing in the vitality of Adirondack communities.”
According to Prickett, the ALT still needs to raise $463,000 to fund both projects.
Glenview Reserve
At the 600-acre Glenview Preserve, known for its sweeping views of Whiteface and the McKenzie Mountain Range, the ALT plans to build 2.25 miles of handicap-accessible gravel trails, with a side trail leading to a natural lookout over the Bloomingdale Bog.
This is a change from the original conceptual plans, which included 3.4 miles of trails. Another change from the conceptual plans: instead of building a 22-space parking lot, the ALT is now planning a 16-space parking lot at Glenview, three of which will be paved handicapped spaces. The ALT also hopes to build a pavilion with a green roof, an information kiosk and restrooms at the site.
In May, the ALT received a $100,000 grant from the state Department of Environmental Conservation to fund plans for Glenview.
The ALT’s plans for Glenview Preserve have faced some resistance, particularly from the land’s neighbors, who have criticized them as too much development or a traffic safety hazard. But the plan has its supporters, too — in an ALT survey and in letters to the editor in the Enterprise, people have expressed both passionate support and opposition to the project.
Before construction can begin, approvals are needed from the City of Harrietstown, the Adirondack Park Agency and the Department of Transportation.
The ALT hopes to start the project next year.
Lake Placid Property
The ALT expects to begin work on the 475-acre Lake Placid site in 2026.
“Our planning in Lake Placid is not as far along as in Glenview, but we expect at least 1.2 miles of accessible trails,” Prickett said Monday.
Last August, the ALT announced plans to build an accessible trail network in the property’s forested area along the West Branch of the AuSable River. ALT Director Mike Carr said they will likely also build a parking lot, install signage and possibly build bridges.
In a list of questions and answers on its website, the ALT says the nonprofit plans to “contact community members, including groups of people who are underrepresented in conservation initiatives, to gather input to inform a plan” after identifying areas “most appropriate for public access.”
The building does not yet have an official name. The ALT launched a survey earlier this year to gather ideas for names.
“We just completed our community brainstorm survey and will be reviewing the 137 ideas submitted to find a distinctive, descriptive and memorable name,” said Prickett.
The area is a popular spot for photography and is not far from one of the most popular trailheads in the High Peaks region, managed by the Adirondack Mountain Club.
