Palmertown, NY (December 14, 2017)— The Open Space Institute (OSI, in partnership with Alta Planning and Design and Saratoga PLAN, hosted a public workshop on December 13 , seeking input on emerging recreation, conservation, and economic development opportunities in the Southern Palmertown region.
The Palmertown Conservation Area stretches from Moreau Lake State Park and the Village of Corinth in the north to Saratoga Spa State Park in the south, and from Route 9 to the east to Route 9N to the west (see map here).
More than 40 local residents and community leaders gathered in the Greenfield Community Center to learn more about the Palmertown region, and to provide valuable local knowledge and personal perspectives on important areas to protect, key destinations, natural areas appropriate for various recreational uses, and ways to enhance economic opportunities for those who live and work in the region. Participants were able to study and mark up maps with useful information.
“We are grateful to everyone who attended this workshop and provided ideas and insight into the next steps for developing a Palmertown Conservation Master Plan,” said Katie Petronis, OSI’s Northern Program Director. “Saratoga County has great potential to become a new center for outdoor recreational activities and this plan will identify conservation corridors and recreational areas, that, if protected, will create regional connectivity, bolster the recreational and forest economy in Saratoga County, and increase public access to trails.”
This workshop is the beginning of a community planning process for the Southern Palmertown region intended to develop a strategy that is responsive to local values and concerns.
“The collective wisdom, talents and enthusiasm of the workshop participants was impressive and encouraging. Working together, the Palmertown area can remain and flourish as an intact landscape, both environmentally and economically,” said Maria Trabka, Saratoga PLAN’s Executive Director.
