Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

Project will enhance overall system safety and reliability while preparing the park for future energy needs

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — The State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation today announced Saratoga Spa State Park is undergoing a $6.1 million electrical infrastructure improvement project to replace obsolete electrical components, some of which date to the original construction of the Spa Park in the 1930s. The project will modernize the park's power grid, ensuring a safer and more reliable electrical system to support the park's 3.6 million annual visitors. 
  

"As stewards of this treasured National Historic Landmark, it is our duty to ensure that the core infrastructure and foundation of Spa Park is reliable and resilient for the future," said Randy Simons, Commissioner Pro Tempore of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. "Keeping this essential but often unnoticed infrastructure in good repair is crucial for a quality experience for our visitors." 

The project will more than triple the electrical capacity of the park from 4kV to 13.2kV, replacing outdated transformers, cables, and switches with modern equipment. Expected to be completed in December 2025, the upgrade will enhance overall system safety and reliability while preparing the park for future energy needs, such as new building renovations, park amenities, and upgraded energy-efficient heating and cooling systems. 
 

Saratoga Spa State Park is the 4th most visited state park in New York, with an estimated attendance of 3.6 million in 2024, an 8% increase from 2023.  Saratoga Performing Arts Center, the parks largest operating partner, has also been seeing record growth in attendance and number of shows. Other partners and businesses including the Gideon Putnam Hotel, the Saratoga Auto Museum, and Saratoga Spa Golf Course all rely on this essential infrastructure.  
  

As part of this project, a planned power outage will take place on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 (rain date: April 2, 2025) from 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM. Several buildings and areas will be temporarily without power, including the Administration Building, Roosevelt I and II, SPAC Amphitheater, Hall of Springs, Gideon Putnam Hotel, golf clubhouses, Victoria Pool Complex, and more. Pathway and parking lot lighting around affected buildings will also be out during this time. Parks is closely coordinating this project with National Grid. This is the first of several planned outages and the public will be continually informed through the park's Facebook page, by push notifications through NY State Parks Explorer mobile app as well as the park's website.  

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, and welcomes over 80 million visitors annually. 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. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), the OPRHP Blog or via the OPRHP Newsroom.