With another strategic land acquisition, Bolton Landing is one step closer to realizing its ambitious plan to become a recreation hub of the southeastern Adirondacks.
The Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC) has purchased a 30-acre corridor between the Bolton Community Center (aka Conservation Club) on Edgecomb Pond Road and the 213-acre Twin Pines parcel on Trout Lake, which the LGLC purchased in 2019.
According to Bolton Supervisor Ron Conover, the town board is, in principle, interested in cooperating with the LGLC to turn the corridor into a spoke in the Bolton Recreational Hub, linking Trout Lake Road with the Community Center, Edgecomb Pond and the trailheads to the Pinnacle and Bradley’s Lookout
If trails were built through the new acquisition and the Twin Pines parcel, those lands would be “the final leg” in the creation of one contiguous, integrated preserve within walking or cycling distance of Bolton Landing’s Main Street.
“Now that the Lake George Land Conservancy has ownership of the property, that could happen, when the time is right,” said Conover. “We’ve discussed replicating what we did together at the Pinnacle and Bradley’s Lookout: acquiring the property at a reduced rate from the LGLC, which would lay a conservation easement across the entire 30 acres to prohibit all development with the exception of recreational infrastructure.”
While no formal commitments have been made “we were very supportive of the purchase and we are having conversations with the LGLC about how, and when, to add it to the Hiking Hub,” said Conover.
The Lake George Land Conservancy acted swiftly to negotiate a purchase price and close on the property when it became available because “it was identified as an important connection in the Bolton Recreation Hub,” said Mike Horn, executive director of the Lake George Land Conservancy.
The corridor would not only link the trailheads on Edgecomb Pond Road with Trout Lake Road, but with the state’s Cat and Thomas Mountains preserve.
“Our Twin Pines property does connect with Cat and Thomas, so we would be able to make that connection. But how we utilize that connection recreationally needs to be explored and figured out,” said Horn.
Horn added, “now that the lands have been secured, we can take our time and make certain that we get the recreational components right.”
The construction of trailheads within close proximity of Bolton Landing’s resorts, shops and restaurants was a recommendation of the 2019 report, “A Recreation Hub Strategy for Bolton,” prepared by the Chazen Companies for the Lake George Land Conservancy and the Town of Bolton.
“The Pinnacle and Bradley’s Lookout were key pieces of the Hub plan,” said Conover.
Ultimately, trails will link the recreational preserves to trailheads throughout Bolton and the Lake George watershed, from Cat and Thomas Mountains to state Forest Preserve lands on Tongue Mountain.
“That will be a tremendous accomplishment,” said Ron Conover. “These things take time, but it’s vital to have a plan in place. In the meantime, the linking of the Conservation Club with Bradley’s Lookout and the Pinnacle and their spectacular, panoramic views of Lake George affords a tremendous hiker experience in itself.”
To accommodate hikers, the Town constructed a new parking lot on land included in the Lookout acquisition, adjacent to the Pinnacle trailhead.
Conover praised the town’s partnership with the Lake George Land Conservancy, which makes it possible for the town to acquire recreational properties at substantial discounts.
“The Lake George Land Conservancy also builds and manages trails, surveying them regularly and letting us know when any work or improvements are required. It’s an exceptional relationship,” said Conover.
Conover added, “Creating a sustainable, natural element for our economy is something we’ve been working on for some time now, and I think we’re now seeing results.”
