See the Open Space Program's website:  www.cliftonparkopenspaces.org

The OPEN SPACE, TRAILS & RIVERFRONT COMMITTEE's next meeting is Wed., Sept. 9, 2020 at 6:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.   Members of the public are welcome and invited to participate.

2020 Members:

1. David Miller
2. William Connor, Jr.
3. Gerald Burr
4. Frank Berlin
5. Raymond Seymour
6. Isabel Prescott
7. Roy Casper
8. Alicia Jacobs
9. Kristin Murphy
10. Michael Hartnett, Esq.
11. James Flaherty
12. Leonard Casper
13. Gurinder Garcha                                                                      

VISCHER FERRY NATURE & HISTORIC PRESERVE: Want more info about this special place? Please see this 2002 Vischer Ferry Nature & Historic Preserve Brochure or visit www.cliftonparkopenspaces.org

WHIPPLE BRIDGE at VISCHER FERRY NATURE & HISTORIC PRESERVE:  The iconic Whipple Bridge marks the prominent entrance to the preserve, located south of the intersection of Riverview Road and Van Vranken Road.  This historic bridge was placed onsite in 1997 with the help of Union College and other volunteers, moved from its original location in Fonda, NY.  For more information about the history of Whipple bridges and this particular span, please see an excerpt of the engineering students' 1996 study, here: 

UPCOMING STEWARDSHIP HIKES:   Join us for a VIRTUAL (ONLINE) meet up by ZOOM video-conference on Friday, September 11, 2020, at 1 p.m. to learn about VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK & MOONEY CARRESE FOREST.  THERE WILL BE NO GATHERING IN PERSON.  

While the field walk is CANCELLED; a video-conference program will be available instead, if folks would like to  participate!  A frequent volunteer with "Curious by Nature" is co-hosting a "Virtual Hike" with the Open Space Coordinator. 

Sept 11 @ 1:00pm   Virtual Stewardship Hike – Veterans Memorial Park – online, not in-person!

During this <45-minute online event, we will offer updates on a self-guided wildflower tour proposed for the Mooney Carrese Forest portion of this park, we'll view some colorful wildflowers, and we’ll discuss the need for these monthly rotating visits to the Town's properties. There will also be time for your questions and answers.

To join this Zoom presentation: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/75284441803
Meeting ID: 752 8444 1803
Password: 3hjyLS

If you missed the JULY 10 Stewardship program about GARNSEY PARK, you can still view it here as a PDF file:  Virtual Stewardship Hike_Garnsey Park_7-10-20

If you missed the JUNE 5 Stewardship program about the 37 Acre of the new Town Center Park, you can still view it here as a PDF file:  https://1drv.ms/b/s!AlFS35U05_VXg4JH0kWk6VUbMlLYUw?e=Y2cLHP

Thank you!  Any questions?  Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

NATURE STORY BOOKS WALK PROGRAM: Stay tuned for 2020 Story Book Walks! This inaugural program was offered in Summer 2019. This program was sponsored by the Town's Open Space, Trails & Riverfront Committee and the Clifton Park - Halfmoon Public Library, 475 Moe Road.

The Open Space, Trails and Riverfront Committee offers advisory recommendations to the Town Board for implementing the Town’s Open Space Program and managing the town’s public lands. The Town’s Open Space Program is based on the Town of Clifton Park Open Space Plan adopted by the Town Board in 2003. The program includes activities such as: the acquisition of land and conservation easements to protect water quality and ensure clean drinking water, and to conserve natural areas for wildlife habitat and farmland for supporting local agriculture; the provision of additional parkland for recreation; the continuation of town-wide trail connections; and the protection of scenic and historic places. Additionally, the Trails Subcommittee provides ongoing recommendations to the Planning Board and to the Town Board for implementing pedestrian and bicyclist facilities improvements and town-wide connections. The committee meets regularly and all meetings are open to the public. The 2020 chairperson is David J. Miller.

The Town of Clifton Park Town Board appointed the inaugural Open Space, Trails and Riverfront Subcommittee in January 2006, following an earlier Open Space Plan Advisory Committee led by David J. Miller and Jim Romano, which had conducted a public open space planning process from 2001 through 2003, and early implementation from 2003 through 2005. The current Open Space, Trails and Riverfront Committee was formed to bring together the former Open Space Implementation Committee, the Trails Committee and a Riverfront Study Committee to work towards common, complementary and mutual goals and objectives, and fully implement the 2003 Town of Clifton Park Open Space Plan, adopted by the Town Board. The formation of the advisory committee coincided with the appointment of the town’s first Open Space Coordinator, Jennifer Viggiani, who started in 2005.