NISKAYUNA — Niskayuna is acquiring Mohawk River State Park from the state, with the town to maintain more than 100 acres of parkland as part of the agreement.
The Town Board unanimously approved a measure to accept the land from the state during its April 30 meeting. The town agreed to keep the land forever wild as a prerequisite for the state to transfer the land.
Town Supervisor Jaime Puccioni said the board approval allowed the town to proceed to the final step of filing the paperwork to acquire the title for the 105-acre park. The park was acquired by the state from the Schenectady Museum in 2006. Niskayuna's town board initially explored the possibility of acquiring the park in late 2022.
“It’s an excellent idea,” Town Board Member Bill McPartlon said of the acquisition. “This now allows us to sort of take that under our stewardship. We can do signage. We can get people involved with cleaning the trails up and making that park a little more user-friendly. Having that under our control is just a great idea. That’s been a long-term thing coming and it’s finally here.”
The town will acquire the land for $1, with the agreement with the state Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation stipulating that, if the site is not continuously used by the town for parkland and recreation purposes, the title for the land will revert back to the state.
Resident William Chapman noted during the board meeting that the town’s acquisition of the park will be beneficial for locals.
“I think this is a tremendous move by the town,” Chapman told the board. “This park is a tremendous resource for all of us. It’s a passive park and will be forever wild and it has so many positive features.”
The Town Board adopted a negative declaration under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) in November, determining that the acquisition of the state park would not have an adverse environmental impact on the parkland.
The long-term plan for the land will see the town add additional parking and potentially a restroom at the Whitmyer Drive entrance to the park grounds.
“We’re really excited for what’s to come,” Puccioni said.
The town is collaborating with the Friends of Niskayuna Trails organization to improve the park’s trails system, with upgrades to begin with a park cleanup day on National Trails Day on June 1.
“I think our town is known for its greenspace and its parks and trails, and this just adds to the many beautiful places that our residents can enjoy,” Town Board Member Jason Moskowitz said.