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Clifton Park Announces Acquisition of 32 Acres of Open Space on Riverview Road

  • Department: Assessor

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to be held Friday, April 24th at 10:30am

Supervisor Barrett and the Town of Clifton Park Open Space, Trails, and Riverfront Committee are proud to announce the acquisition of 32 acres of open space, working farmland and natural historic area on Riverview Road. The property, situated on the south side of Riverview Road about a mile west of the Whipple Bridge entrance to the Vischer Ferry Nature & Historic Preserve, is envisioned for future public use for walking trails, cultural and historic interpretation, and for potential future reconnections to the preserve.

The Town has secured the land to conserve historic, scenic, and natural resources for the public, meeting goals of the Town of Clifton Park Open Space Plan, the Town of Clifton Park Historic Preservation Commission, and the Scenic Conservation Action Plan for the Mohawk Towpath Byway.   The property strengthens the public experience of the scenic, historic, and cultural resources in the Vischer Ferry National Historic District, the Vischer Ferry Nature & Historic Preserve, and of the Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway.

The town acquired the property from owners Wallace and Gayalyn Wojtowicz, local residents who supported the conservation of their family’s land and the important community history of the property.  The rural, open fields have been continuously farmed since the 1670s. Town Historian, John Scherer said, “As Town Historian, I am delighted that this historic Van Vranken farmland is now preserved giving us additional acreage adjacent to the Vischer Ferry Nature and Historic Preserve and the remains of the Erie Canal and Lock 19.  This will afford the Town additional access to Historic Lock 19 and allow for some additional interpretation of this area as well as preserving the rural character of the Vischer Ferry Historic District."

“Thanks to the Wojtowicz family’s stewardship and love of the land, the acquisition of their property is one of the crown jewels of Clifton Park with future walking trails right down to the Mohawk River. It is our most significant land protection project in years and adds to the open space legacy of Supervisor Phil Barrett and the Clifton Park Town Board,” said David J. Miller, Chair of the Town of Clifton Park Open Space, Trails, and Riverfront Committee.  

The purchase was made possible with funding assistance from the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) Environmental Protection Fund, and the Saratoga County Farmland and Open Space Grant Program, through the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors.

This project supports the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s goal of 30% protection of the state’s lands and waters by 2030. Several organizations specifically supported the Town’s acquisition of the Riverview Road Field in the town’s successful state grant application: the Town of Clifton Park Open Space, Trails, and Riverfront Committee; the Friends of Clifton Park Open Space; Audubon New York, the state office of the National Audubon Society; the Audubon Society of the Capital Region; Saratoga PLAN.

“We commend the town of Clifton Park for stepping forward to protect this scenic 32-acre property. As part of the Vischer Ferry National Historic District, this investment preserves views of a working landscape while strengthening connections to adjacent protected lands and the growing trail network along the Erie Canal. This acquisition reflects a clear commitment to the community by balancing growth with the protection of Clifton Park’s natural resources and historic character," said Robert Davies, Executive Director of Saratoga PLAN.

“The conservation of these 32 acres on Riverview Road helps fulfill the goal of conservation of open space and farmland balanced with development in town, a balance the town has worked to achieve over these past 26 years,” said Town Supervisor Phil Barrett. This acquisition enhances the nearly 2,000 acres of land that the Town of Clifton Park has conserved since 2000. 

We invite the public to join us for a ribbon cutting on Friday, April 24, 2026, at 10:30am at the project site, a large open field across the street from 283 Riverview Road.

UPCOMING TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE, WOOD ROAD

  • Department: Assessor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 27, 2026

CONTACT:
Town Highway Superintendent Dahn Bull
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.518-371-7310 (o)

UPCOMING TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE, WOOD ROAD
Several Culverts Being Replaced Across Roadway, Calling for Temporary Closure during Day Hours

Clifton Park, NY -- Clifton Park Highway Superintendent Dahn Bull has announced upcoming Road Closure for Wood Road, off of State Route 9 and Ushers Road in the Round Lake area.

Wood Road will be temporarily closed on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 28th and 29th, from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM for the replacement of aging culverts under the road. The closure will be from Ushers Road to State Route 9, which will be available to Local Traffic Only. The road will reopen as soon as the culverts are installed, and the road is able to be travelled safely. Herlihy Road/Washington Avenue, Round Lake, will not be affected by the closure.

Schools and Local Emergency Response have been informed. Please make sure to avoid the area. Closing at approximately 8:00 AM, the Road will reopen at approximately 3:00 PM each day for each project. 

Clifton Park to Partner with Capital Region PRISM to Manage Invasive Species

  • Department: Assessor

Clifton Park’s Tree Committee is recruiting volunteers for a special training program with the Capital Region Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (CR-PRISM) on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park, Ballston Lake. CR-PRISM is a non-profit quasi-governmental agency hosted by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County.

Like most communities, Clifton Park has a problem with invasive vines slowly killing some of its trees. One woody vine significantly damages trees: Oriental bittersweet, scientifically known as Celastrus orbiculatus, is a woody vine native to East Asia that has become an invasive species in North America. It can smother native plants and trees by wrapping around them, often leading to their death due to the added weight and competition for sunlight.

“Oriental bittersweet is an aggressive plant that is harming our trees and local ecosystem,” commented Councilman Zabed Manir, town board liaison to the Tree Committee. “We need to take whatever steps we can to control the spread of this invasive species.”

The Tree Committee has been monitoring Oriental bittersweet for several years and recently decided to take action. Last fall, Addison Kubik, PRISM’s outreach coordinator, was invited to Clifton Park to assess the impact of invasive vines in the town’s municipal forest. While Kubik identified several species of weedy vines, he was particularly concerned about the Oriental bittersweet. He encouraged the committee to submit an application to CR-PRISM for its Volunteer Education and Engagement Program or VEEP. The application was accepted, and training is scheduled for May. This month is optimum, because it is after the seeds have dispersed but before new growth is strongly established.

The training project, which will be coordinated by Danne Parker from the Tree Committee, will focus on four educational outcomes:

  • Learning how to identify bittersweet
  • Understanding its negative effects
  • Learning proper removal and disposal techniques
  • Gaining hands-on experience in removing bittersweet

Parker hopes to train up to 30 volunteers for this event. While the project will initially start at Veterans Memorial Park, the Tree Committee hopes to move on to other town locations in the future.

TRAVEL ADVISORY: Riverview Road Bridge to Close

  • Department: Assessor

The New York State Department of Transportation is advising motorists that the bridge carrying Riverview Road over The Northway (I-87) in the towns of Halfmoon and Clifton Park in Saratoga County will close to traffic for the next year, starting Monday, May 18 until approximately June 30, 2027 to facilitate a bridge replacement project.

Motorists should follow the signed detour utilizing Crescent, VanVranken, Clamsteam and Dunsbach Roads. Motorists should anticipate travel delays and build extra travel time into their schedule. Construction activities are weather dependent and subject to change based on conditions.

About the Department of Transportation
It is the mission of the New York State Department of Transportation to provide a safe, reliable, equitable, and resilient transportation system that connects communities, enhances quality of life, protects the environment, and supports the economic well-being of New York State.


Lives are on the line; slow down and move over for highway workers!


For more information, find us on Facebook, follow us on X, Capital Region X or Instagram, or visit our website. For up-to-date travel information, call 511, visit www.511NY.org or download the free 511NY mobile app.

A Message from NYS DOT: Adirondack Northway Renewal Project

  • Department: Assessor

STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $40 MILLION IN MAJOR PAVEMENT RENEWAL PROJECTS FOR THE ADIRONDACK NORTHWAY

Fueled by Governor Hochul’s Record Statewide Investment in Pavement Renewal, Resurfacing Initiative will Rejuvenate 113 Lane Miles and Enhance Safety Along One of Upstate New York’s Busiest Commuter Corridors

State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez today announced that work is getting underway to rejuvenate 113 lane miles of the Adirondack Northway (Interstate 87), beginning with an $18.7 million pavement renewal project in Saratoga County. This initial phase will resurface I-87 from the Mohawk River to Exit 11, spanning the towns of Halfmoon, Clifton Park, and Malta. A second $22 million resurfacing effort is scheduled to begin later this spring, covering the Northway from U.S. Route 20 (Western Avenue) in the Town of Guilderland through Albany to the Mohawk River in the Town of Colonie. Together, these projects represent a continuous investment in one of the most traveled corridors in Upstate New York, traversed by more than 100,000 vehicles every day. 

“Under the leadership of Governor Hochul, New York is making historic investments in our transportation network to ensure our infrastructure remains resilient and our economy remains strong,” said New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez. “These projects will improve the driving experience for more than 100,000 daily travelers and ensure this vital roadway continues to serve the Capital Region, the North Country, and the entire state.”  

In both projects, the aged top layer of the roadway will be removed and replaced with a high-performance, durable asphalt. This new asphalt incorporates a high-friction surface that improves traction and drainage, providing a critical safety benefit for motorists. Additional upgrades will include highly reflective pavement markings for better nighttime visibility, modernized traffic sensors for real-time traffic management, and, as needed, new guiderails. Sidewalk approaches to highway ramps will also be modernized to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), making them safer for pedestrians. 

Fueled by Governor Hochul’s record infusion of capital into NYSDOT’s annual paving program, the Department of Transportation has launched the most ambitious road resurfacing program in New York history. By adding an additional $600 million to paving efforts this year, the state will now renew over 4,000 lane miles of pavement in 2026 to ensure a smoother and safer ride for all New Yorkers.

As a primary artery for North American trade and tourism, the Northway provides essential access to major landmarks, businesses, and universities including Saratoga Spa State Park, Saratoga Race Course, GlobalFoundries, University at Albany, and Albany International Airport. Maintaining this pavement is essential for the heavy truck traffic that powers the regional supply chain between New York City and Montreal.

Originally constructed between 1957 and 1967, the Adirondack Northway was once honored as America’s Most Scenic Highway and was instrumental in the rapid suburban growth in the latter half of the 20th century. These renewal projects ensure the historic route continues to meet the demands of the 21st century.

The work is expected to be completed by the end of the 2026 construction season, with the exception of a two-mile stretch between the Mohawk River and Exit 8 in Halfmoon. That stretch will be completed in summer 2027 to accommodate a bridge construction project already scheduled to begin later in 2026. 

To minimize delays for the more than 100,000 vehicles that use this route daily, major paving work will be conducted during nighttime hours. Motorists should anticipate nighttime lane closures and ramp detours.  Construction activities are weather dependent and subject to change based on conditions.

Senator Charles Schumer said, “I’m proud that millions in federal funding from my Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law is paving the way for a safer and smoother Adirondack Northway. This project will make one of Upstate New York’s most critical corridors safer for drivers and more efficient for regional businesses, all while creating many good-paying jobs. I’m grateful for Governor Hochul’s work putting federal dollars to good use, investing in our transportation infrastructure.”

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, “The revitalization of the Adirondack Northway will help ensure that New Yorkers can travel around Upstate New York smoothly, safely, and efficiently. Rejuvenating our roads is a vital investment in our Upstate communities, and I am pleased to see one of New York’s busiest commuter roads getting a much-needed upgrade. I thank Governor Hochul for her work to secure this investment. I will keep working to bring home federal dollars to improve transportation infrastructure across New York State.”

State Senator Patricia Fahy said, "Hitting just one pothole can cost the average family up to a thousand dollars in car repairs alone. Motorists expect the roads they travel on every day to be well-maintained and easy to travel on. This investment represents our ongoing commitment to ensuring every highway and road in New York is safe, and I want to thank the dedicated NYSDOT workers who continue to do this work day in and day out."

Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy said, “Thousands of Albany County residents use the Northway every day, so keeping this corridor in good condition is essential. These resurfacing projects will improve safety and overall travel conditions along one of the busiest roadways in our region. I want to thank NYSDOT Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez and Governor Hochul for making this investment in our infrastructure. There will be some temporary delays during construction, but the long-term benefit for drivers and our local economy is clear.”

Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Chairman Phil Barrett said, “We appreciate the NYS Department of Transportation’s attention to infrastructure needs in Saratoga County and are grateful for our long-standing collaborative partnership. This project will enhance travel for both Saratoga County residents and visitors who use the Adirondack Northway.”

About the Department of Transportation
It is the mission of the New York State Department of Transportation to provide a safe, reliable, equitable, and resilient transportation system that connects communities, enhances quality of life, protects the environment, and supports the economic well-being of New York State.


Lives are on the line; slow down and move over for highway workers!


For more information, find us on Facebook, follow us on X, Capital Region X or Instagram, or visit our website. For up-to-date travel information, call 511, visit www.511NY.org or download the free 511NY mobile app.