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Maple Hill Farm to be Preserved in a Permanent Conservation Easement

The Town of Clifton Park is in the homestretch for securing a Permanent Conservation Easement over Maple Hill Farm of Ashdown Road to protect 71.262 acres of land in perpetuity in the Town of Clifton Park.  The farm is located at the intersection of NY 146A and Ashdown Road. The Deed of Conservation Easement and the Easement Survey will be filed with Saratoga County just as other ownership of real estate is filed with the county. The Deed of Conservation Easement will run the land and will apply to all future owners of the private property.

In September, the State approved the Town’s proposed Deed of Conservation Easement and other supporting documents, so the next step is a Town Board resolution to authorize the purchase of development rights.  As the Town is proposing to utilize the Open Space Capital Reserve Fund (established as an implementation of the Town’s 2003 Open Space Plan), there will be a Public Hearing on the action, to be held on Monday, November 6, 2003 at 7:05 p.m. at the regular town board meeting.

The 2003 Open Space Plan had set a goal for the Town to protect at least 300 to 500 acres of viable farmland. 

With securing a permanent conservation easement over the lands of Maple Hill Farm, the total acreage of farmland that is permanently protected in the Town of Clifton Park will increase to 258 acres.  The other three (3) farms that have been protected are:  King Crest Farm, 41 acres on Grooms Road just northwest from the Historic Grooms Tavern Complex; Riverview Orchards, 87 acres on Riverview Road; and Cloverdale Meadows (Heckman/Baillargeon), 59 acres on Hubbs Road.

The Town of Clifton Park applied in September 2023 to the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets for a Municipal Agricultural Planning Grant opportunity to be able access state funds to help the town accomplish a town-wide farmland protection plan.  The 2003 Open Space Plan references farmland protection as one of the 5 major themes, but with the 20 years passage since the adoption of the Open Space Plan, the Open Space, Trails & Riverfront Committee had recommended the Town consider this planning process to evaluate the current status of agriculture and farming and help plan for the future of the agricultural economy and lands in Clifton Park.

With Maple Hill Farms, the new Total Acres of Protected Open Space (since 2000) will increase to be 2,076 acres including Barney Road Golf Course, Dwaaskill Nature Preserve, Gransey Park, Northwoods Nature Preserve, 41 acres off of Riverview Road, the newly opened Town Center Park, and Veterans Memorial Park. 

Town of Clifton Park to Host Stewardship Hikes

The Town of Clifton Park is hosting a series of monthly hikes through its many nature preserves and parks. These hikes will be an opportunity for the public to join Clifton Park officials, employees and volunteers on a casual, but informative, hike. These hikes will allow residents the opportunity to gain a renewed appreciation for the many open spaces, trails and parks that Clifton Park has to offer. We will strive to make these hikes informative and educational while also soliciting feedback on potential improvements to each individual area.

Clifton Park has preserved over two thousand acres of open space since the inception of an Open Space Plan in the early 2000s and these scheduled hikes will be an offering to explore one of our many natural gems for the first time or to return with a group and enjoy conversation and camaraderie with other residents.

Deputy Supervisor Anthony Morelli who is also the Town Board liaison for the Town’s Open Space, Trails, and Riverfront Committee commented “Clifton Park has hundreds of acres of wonderful wildlife preserves, parks and open spaces open to the public year-round. Each offers its own unique characteristics, and we strive to make improvements each year with the help of employees, dedicated volunteers and various community, scouting and youth groups. The hope is that through these scheduled outings we will increase awareness, enjoyment, and education for our residents and visitors. Through these hikes, residents will be able to observe wildlife, and varieties of plants and trees while also learning about the historical significance of each site.”

For more information contact Town Deputy Supervisor Anthony Morelli at (518) 371-6651.