Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

Completion of North-South Road Multi-use Trail improves Safety and Accessibility for Park Patrons

Saratoga Springs – The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) today announced the completion of a new half-mile paved multi-use trail that runs adjacent to the North-South Road in Saratoga Spa State Park. This extension connects existing pathways in the park and improves pedestrian safety and allows greater accessibility to the park.

"North-South Road has long been a point of concern between pedestrians and vehicle traffic, especially during SPAC shows," said OPRHP Executive Deputy Commissioner Tom Alworth. "Now, with this new paved trail, we can provide pedestrians a connection to the majority of the park that is off the road and is both safe and accessible for all. In terms of safety, this is a game-changer."

"Whether during our busy spring and summer season or on a gorgeous fall day, patrons now have a safe and accessible way to get around one of the busiest stretches of the park," said OPRHP Regional Director Alane Ball Chinian. "Visitors will not be exposed to traffic on the side of the road."

Congressman Paul Tonko said, "The completion of this trail is a significant milestone for Saratoga Spa State Park, which already serves as a valuable natural resource and a significant economic driver for our Capital Region I've long been a supporter of investments that allow more people to access and enjoy our wonderful parks, and I'm particularly pleased that this project will provide safer and more accessible pathways for all visitors to the park and its numerous exciting attractions. Saratoga Spa State Park is a treasure of our Capital Region, and I look forward to seeing this new trail help to promote sustainable, healthy recreation for residents and visitors alike."

Assemblymember Carrie Woerner said, "This new trail is an excellent use of the Recreational Trails Grant Program in that it provides a newly paved path that will enable more people to safely access the many wonderful features of this unique park, including the tennis courts, historical spa, coffee shop, SPAC theaters and the renowned Automobile Museum. We are so fortunate to have the Saratoga Spa State Park in our backyard, now even more so."

The project is a continuation of a broader initiative to improve the park's roads and trails following the $4.2 million redevelopment of the Roosevelt Drive Corridor. Completed in 2023, the project added over 4,600 feet of trail, improved stormwater drainage and expanded parking. This new pathway expands on this project by creating a roughly 3.2-mile loop connecting the Roosevelt Drive Corridor and Avenue of the Pines with the East-West Road as well as the golf course, pools, and picnic areas. Additionally, the project includes a new connection to the popular Ferndell Trail.

The project began in January 2024 and was completed by BP Excavation. The project manager was Senior Landscape Architect Chris More from OPRHP, and the engineering consultant was Erdman Anthony. The project was completed at a cost of $479,790 and was funded primarily through federal grant from Recreational Trails Program.

Saratoga Spa State Park, known for its mineral springs, historical architecture, and the Saratoga Spa Performing Arts Center, received a record number of visitors in 2023: 3,629,060. This makes the park the fifth most visited in the state and the second most popular in upstate NY, behind Niagara Falls, the most visited NYS park.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, which saw a record 84 million visits in 2023. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer app or call 518.474.0456. Join us in celebrating our Centennial throughout 2024, and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and the OPRHP Blog.