County transfers park to town
Action helps preserve nearly 64 acres, officials say
CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. » On Thursday, Saratoga County transferred Kinns Road Park to the town of Clifton Park, preserving nearly 64 acres of open space and recreational land.
Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Chairman Ed Kinowski and Clifton Park Supervisor Phil Barrett signed the deed at a ceremony at the park.
“The Clifton Park Town Board is pleased Kinns Road Park, in its current form, will be preserved for generations into the future,” said Barrett in a statement. “Kinns Road Park is an integral part of the town’s large and growing park and recreational network. Our team will continue to manage and maintain the park as we have for many years.”
The park is on the south side of Kinns Road between Route 146A and Plank Road. A plan eyed by the county three years ago to harvest selected timber from it generated much local opposition and raised concerns about its use and preservation. The county eventually withdrew its harvesting plan and allowed the town an opportunity to create a stewardship plan.
The town then hired a retired supervising forester with more
than 30 years of experience with the state Department of Environmental Conservation to create the plan. During the discussions on the fate of the park, Barrett labeled it a jewel and described it as unique.
Last September, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed into law legislation that transfers ownership of the 64acre Kinns Road Park from Saratoga County to the town.
The announcement of the signing came from the bill’s two sponsors, state Sen. Jim Tedisco, R-Glenville, and Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh, R-Ballston Spa. The two state officials represent Clifton Park.
Thursday provided an opportunity for the official transfer. Elected officials were on hand for the ceremony.
“Saratoga County is committed to creating opportunities for our residents to enjoy the natural beauty we have so close to home,” said Kinowski, in a statement. “County residents have grown to love this park space, and we’re happy to facilitate this preservation and provide ensure recreational opportunities for everyone.”
Additionally, Dennis Flynn, who teaches environmental conservation forestry at the F. Donald Myers Education Center in Saratoga Springs through BOCES, was in attendance. Flynn and his students have worked at the park over the last few years, removing trees and providing trail maintenance, “to make it more suitable, aesthetically pleasing for the people that actually are here using the park.”
Flynn called working at the park a great project for his students.
Barrett explained how it’s not just a place for recreation, but also a home for beautiful birds, including a family of owls.
“They have to been able to live here and coexist with the many daily users of the park,” said Barrett, before describing how often residents, sports teams and tourists use the park throughout the year.