Saratoga County staff update covers open-space projects, timber harvest, fish stocking and regional trail planning

County planning staff gave the Saratoga County Trails and Open Space Committee a multipart update on open-space and trail projects, timber harvest activity, fish stocking plans and regional trail connections.

Jason, a staff member with the Office of Planning and Economic Development, told the committee the Town of Monroe open-space project is nearing closure and that applications for the 2025 farming and open-space and trails grant programs were distributed on March 11; the farming/open-space deadline is June 13 and the trails deadline is July 11. He said several ongoing trails grants are moving toward completion with municipal partners.

Jason described a timber harvest under way in the town of Barrow. He said the harvest is classified as "3B timber," is mostly red pine intended for poles, and that the contractor hired a subcontractor, Ryan Sweeney Tree Service, to perform the cutting. He said the operator estimated a typical harvest duration of six to eight weeks and that work began the week of the meeting; staff sent notices to adjoining landowners and reported they received no questions.

Staff also reported purchase orders have been issued for fish stocking: Avery's Fish Hatchery will supply rainbow trout and Cold Spring Hatchery will supply brook trout, with stocking expected in the next couple of weeks and school events planned in coordination with supervisors.

At Monroe county forest land on Redmond Road, county Department of Public Works crews installed a new kiosk, a hitching post and a mounting block after discussions with State Parks and local equine stakeholders; staff said equine use at the site and at nearby preserves has increased and the facilities are intended to improve access and parking for riders.

The committee heard that an Agricultural District inclusion package was submitted to the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets on March 27; staff said the review typically takes two to three weeks, after which the agricultural-district amendment becomes final.

Staff and supervisors reported ongoing work with the Graphite Range Community Forest Advisory Committee on trail usage, signage and maintenance. Separately, county supervisors described discussions about a donated parcel called the Northern Gateway, which would connect to the town of Greenfield and Wilton Road and provide an additional parking area; staff said the parcel would be donated and paid for by a private donor, and would be no cost to the county if implemented.

Committee members and regional partners also discussed a longer-range, multi-jurisdictional effort to extend a Ballston-area bike trail southward to connect with the Mohawk Hudson Trail and the Erie Canalway corridor. Staff said an engineer has talked with the railroad and obtained approval to cross at "Zepkula," which staff described as a key link. The discussion referenced coordination with Metroplex and local supervisors; staff said Steve Strickman, a Metroplex official who is retiring from that organization, has agreed to lead or coordinate the effort as a special-projects contact. Ballston has applied to the county trails grant program to fund a feasibility study, and staff reported regional partners indicated willingness to contribute to planning costs. The committee discussed a field trip to review potential alignments on the ground.

No formal votes or policy changes resulted from the update; the items were presented as status reports and planning discussions. Committee members asked questions about access, parking and timelines on several items and directed staff to continue coordination with municipal partners and regional stakeholders.