Saratoga Trails Alliance  Releases New Vision Map

By Jeff Olson

At the recent Adirondack Sports Summer Expo in Saratoga Springs, the Saratoga Trails Alliance released a new Trail Vision Map. The map is the result of a year of listening sessions and captures the wide variety of trail opportunities in Saratoga County. As the Zim Smith Trail has developed into a major north-south ‘spine’ trail and the Empire State Trail has created cross state connections, the new Vision Map intends to take trails to the next level in the region.

The map highlights opportunities for all trail types and user groups, from shared-use paths to water trails, singletrack and equestrian use. Some of the potential projects have been in progress for decades and others are new ideas, but the new STA Vision Map is the first time that these concepts are presented in a common platform that represents input from the full spectrum of trail interests. Completing the countywide trails system is a vital element in Saratoga’s quality of life, economic development, and sustainability efforts.

Key projects highlighted on the new map include:

• Completion of the Zim Smith Trail from the Empire State Trail in Mechanicville to the Saratoga Spa State Park in Saratoga Springs. This shared-use path project is a top priority for Saratoga County and is actively under development to connect the key ‘missing link’ from Ballston Spa to the Spa Park.

• The Palmertown Ridge Trail from Moreau State Park to Daniels Road State Forest, with connections to the new Graphite Range and Tupelo community forests. This natural surface trail is an ongoing collaborative effort with land conservation partners including Saratoga PLAN, Saratoga County, NYS Parks, NYS DEC, private donors, trail advocates and local communities.

• The Champlain Canalway Trail from Waterford to South Glens Falls, a key part of the Empire State Trail that has significant sections for both land and water trails completed and ongoing community support along the entire route.

Saratoga Trails Alliance serves as a central resource hub for trail users, organizations, and people who live, work, and play in Saratoga County. STA supports ecologically sustainable and accessible trails and advocate for countywide trail projects to benefit an inclusive and diverse community. The new vision map was created with support from private donors, volunteers from multiple local trail organizations, and pro-bono cartography by Byer Planning.

For more info about STA, to download the new Trail Vision Map, or to get involved with the growing trails movement in Saratoga County, please visit: saratogatrails.org.

Jeff Olson (jeffolson@the3rdmode.com) of Saratoga Springs is a leader in the trails community and has been involved in a range of projects including Citi Bike NYC, Empire State Trail and many others. He’s cofounder of re:Charge-e and author of The Third Mode: Towards a Green Society. He also likes to bike and ski a lot.