Town of Clifton Park
Open Space, Trails & Riverfront Advisory Committee
The Open Space, Trails and Riverfront Committee offers advisory recommendations to the Town Board for implementing the Town’s Open Space Program and managing the town’s public lands. The Town’s Open Space Program is based on the Town of Clifton Park Open Space Plan adopted by the Town Board in 2003. The program includes activities such as the acquisition of land and conservation easements to protect water quality and ensure clean drinking water, and to conserve natural areas for wildlife habitat and farmland for supporting local agriculture; the provision of additional parkland for recreation; the continuation of town-wide trail connections; and the protection of scenic and historic places.
The Trails Subcommittee provides ongoing recommendations to the Planning Board and to the Town Board for implementing pedestrian and bicyclist facilities improvements and town-wide connections.
The Open Space, Trails & Riverfront Committee meets monthly. Meetings are open to the public. Please check the Town Calendar for dates and times.
Parks & Preserves in Clifton Park
TOWN CENTER PARK The newest park in Town is accessible from both Moe Road and from Maxwell Drive at its intersection with Southside Drive. Bike racks and small parking areas are located at both main entrances to the park. The park features a 12-foot wide, paved path that can be shared by pedestrians, bicyclists, strollers, wheelchairs and is designed to be ADA accessible. The width of the path can accommodate groups and a mix of users. The trail is open every day and will be maintained throughout all seasons. Crosswalks are located on Maxwell Drive connecting Town Center Park directly to the Town Center shopping, offices, restaurants, residential living, and community activities. Pedestrian lighting fixtures are installed along this main, east-west trail.
View a Virtual Stewardship Hike at Town Center Park here.
DWAAS KILL NATURE PRESERVE: In 2020, the Blue Trail was established at the Town's Dwaas Kill Nature Preserve, thanks to Eagle Scout Ryan Haug, and is viewable in the 2021 Dwaas Kill Nature Preserve Trails Map. You can start the Blue Trail at the Main Parking trailhead entrance off of Pierce Road. The route out to the far overlook is about 1.1 miles, one way.
HAYES NATURE PARK: In 2022, Eagle Scout Christian Blood conducted park improvements at Hayes Nature Park, working closely with the Stony Creek Park District I and the Town of Clifton Park. He updated the Hayes Nature Park Trails Map adding distances and created a QR code for easy reference for visitors.
KINNS ROAD PARK: As part of a Girl Scout Gold Award Project completed in 2021, Alison Szczesny, has created a video series showcasing Kinns Road Park, posted January 2022, for viewers to experience the park when they are not able to be there in person!
Videos of Kinns Road Park in the Spring
Videos of Kinns Road Park in the Fall
VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK & MOONEY CARRESE FOREST: In 2021, Lenny Casper and Jim Flaherty, members of the Stewardship Subcommittee refreshed the Trail Markers at Veterans Memorial Park & Mooney Carrese Forest and the town updated the Veterans Memorial Park & Mooney Carrese Forest Trails Map.
VISCHER FERRY NATURE & HISTORIC PRESERVE: For info about this special place, please see this 2002 Vischer Ferry Nature & Historic Preserve Brochure
WHIPPLE BRIDGE at VISCHER FERRY NATURE & HISTORIC PRESERVE: The iconic Whipple Bridge marks the prominent entrance to the preserve, located south of the intersection of Riverview Road and Van Vranken Road. This historic bridge was placed onsite in 1997 with the help of Union College and other volunteers, moved from its original location in Fonda, NY.
LEARN MORE ABOUT ROCKS IN CLIFTON PARK WITH GEOLOGY WALKS: As part of a Girl Scout Silver Award Project, Katherine Johnson, of Troop 2158, developed a "Geology Walks" informational brochure highlighting information about the geology of Clifton Park, in September 2021. The brochure offers educational information about rock formations in a visually interesting format, linked to locations where you can hike, walk, and stroll to see the "rocks of Clifton Park"! Check out the informational brochure here.