News From the Town of Colonie
Paula A. Mahan |
 |
UPCOMING PUBLIC WALK OF THE MOHAWK PRESERVE SCHEDULED FOR THE TOWN OF COLONIE
On Tuesday, May 6, at 7pm , the Town of Colonie Planning and Economic Development Department will be hosting a walk of the Mohawk Preserve where residents and interested parties will be able to tour the 57 acres of Mohawk riverfront property the Town has recently purchased. The walk will depart from the driver training skid pad, near the Latham Water Treatment Plant, at the end of Onderdonk Road.
On April 2, 2008, residents and interested members of the community attended a workshop to determine the kinds of amenities, facilities and activities that might be appropriate for the property. The general consensus of the group was that the property's extensive natural features should be preserved to the fullest extent, and that any amenities added to the site, such as picnic tables and stone dust trails should be located and constructed in such a way that will not unduly disrupt the natural elements of the site.
In November 2007, the Town of Colonie purchased 57 acres of beautiful Mohawk River waterfront property. This acquisition preserves this critical open space from development, protects the Mohawk River's picturesque view shed, and will provide Town residents and visitors with public access to the historic Mohawk River Heritage Byway. This property had been identified for acquisition and stewardship through the Town's Comprehensive Plan, the Mohawk River Revitalization Strategy and Action Plan and the Town's Mohawk River Access Plan.
Last fall it was also announced that the Town of Colonie had received a $500,000 grant from the New York State Environmental Protection Fund, to go towards the purchase of this important property. It is the Town's intention that this property shall provide public access to the Mohawk River for all residents and visitors – the property is located at one of the very rare locations along Colonie's Mohawk River waterfront that is not choked with water chestnuts or significantly silted in. Additionally, this property also has significant frontage along the popular Mohawk Hudson Bike Hike Trail, which sees hundreds of thousands of users every year.
For more information, please contact Kelly Mateja at 783-2741, or email pedd@colonie.org .