Parks, Recreation & Community Affairs

The Town of Clifton Park has announced its second photo contest spotlighting the Vischer Ferry Nature and Historic Preserve. Entries will be accepted electronically between June 1^st and September1^st, 2025, by the Office of Parks and Recreation at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

All are invited to submit their best photographs taken at the Vischer Ferry Nature and Historic Preserve. This year’s contest will highlight the historic aspect of the preserve in conjunction with the 200^th anniversary of the Erie Canal. Photographers will be organized into three divisions: Junior, Amateur, and Professional

There will be a two-round public voting process.  In round one photographs will be displayed on Facebook from September 5th through September 12th, for public voting.  To vote for a photograph simply “Like” the photograph on Facebook.  The two photographs with the most votes from each division will be displayed at Amity Reformed Church October 11^th and 12^th for the second round of voting, in person during the Vischer Ferry Canal Fest.

A grand prize will be awarded as well as prizes for the top two photographs in each division.

The Vischer Ferry Nature and Historic Preserve Photo Contest was created to highlight and showcase the beauty, character and historic significance of the Preserve.

The Preserve encompasses over 600 acres of historically and ecologically significant land adjacent to the Mohawk River, within the Vischer Ferry Historic District. The Preserve has three areas of interest: a wetland ecosystem, the remains of the Erie Canal, and the site of the town's first Settlement. The Vischer Ferry Nature and Historic Preserve is open to all for study, recreation and enjoyment of its natural beauty. Hiking along the old Erie Canal towpath is a popular activity for historians and nature lovers, featuring the historic remains of Clute's Dry Dock and Lock 19.

"We are building upon last year's successful photo contest, which served to showcase our beautiful Vischer Ferry Preserve. What is new this year is that we are adding a theme to the contest. This year's theme will be history, to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the Eerie Canal's- a waterway which helped to shape our nation. The preserve is rich with historic sites from the old canal still intact. We plan to have a new theme for each contest going forward. We are also dividing the photographers into three categories so that younger contestants, amateur photographers, and professionals all have a chance to proceed to the second round and win a prize," said Councilwoman Reid.

pdf 2025 Photo Contest Official Rules(513 KB)