THE VALUE OF PATNERSHIPS AND OPEN SPACE PROTECTION

THE ROUND LAKE PRESERVE

Clearly New York State’s investment of over $1 billion in high technology initiatives and research and development jobs has driven economic development in the upstate area. Investments into highways, water systems, etc. are setting the stage for the growth of employment and housing.  Towns, cities and villages are faced with decisions on how to protect working farms and natural resources.  Some communities are finding that open space protection is an effective tool in managing growth and improving the quality of life that our citizens expect. As development pressures mount, the Town of Malta achieved a unique opportunity to protect important land from development with a partnership with a local land protection agency, Saratoga P.L.A.N.

The Round Lake Preserve, once an approved subdivision for estate lots, is located along the Round Lake and the Anthony Kill (a tributary to the Hudson River) in the Town of Malta.  The property changed focus when the owner contacted Saratoga P.L.A.N. regarding his interest in selling the land for conservation purposes when he could not overcome insufficient financing for the project. P.L.A.N approached the Town with an exciting opportunity to partner and preserve this special place. With the assistance of a New York State Environmental Protection Fund grant, a Saratoga County Open Space grant and money from Malta’s Open Space and Recreation Preservation Reserve, 90 acres have been permanently preserved to protect key natural and archeological resources in the Town, and it’s important watershed.  From a natural resource perspective the land contains a significant amount of wetlands that contributes to the water quality, a large area of frontage along Round Lake and the Anthony Kill, woodlands, meadows, fields, a State endangered plant and an active heron rookery.  From a recreational perspective, the Preserve will provide public access to Round Lake for kayakers. The property also encompasses a prehistoric site that is eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. In addition, if not preserved, the land would be cleared for residential development and degrade the floodplain, watershed and wildlife habitat.  The success of this project has focused Phase II of the project to purchase the development rights of an additional 118 acres of land, + 39 acres of which are in the Town of Malta and the remaining are in the Town of Stillwater. 

The Round Lake Preserve land is located one mile from the Luther Forest Technology Park, the center of development pressure in the Town of Malta.  Malta’s partnership with Saratoga P.L.A.N has permanently preserved a critical area from development for open space and passive recreation opportunities.