A longstanding push to preserve land adjacent to the Indian Kill Nature Preserve could finally be realized — in a few more years.
The Schenectady County Legislature discussed a resolution to preserve county-owned land next to the Glendale Nursing home, which residents dubbed the “Indian Kill Field,” during its committee meeting on Monday, Feb. 6. Even if the Legislature approves the resolution during its Tuesday, Feb. 14, meeting, the formal dedication wouldn’t occur until construction on the new Glendale Nursing Home is completed.
County officials are estimating the project to be completed in April 2014 and cost $50 million to complete.
The resolution was sponsored by all District 3 Democratic legislators representing Glenville, but notably did not include fellow Republican District 3 Legislator James Buhrmaster.
Former minority leader Robert Farley had chided Democrat legislators several times for not acting to preserve the land. Farley left the Legislature in January after not seeking reelection. Buhrmaster is now the sole Republican member.
“We have been trying for two years to get this done and I think this is fantastic,” Buhrmaster said at the meeting. “The question I would ask is, ‘If I could be a sponsor’ … I feel that I have worked very, very hard for two years on this issue.”
After the meeting, Buhrmaster said it appeared fellow District 3 legislators agreed to placing his name on the resolution.
Ray Gillen, commissioner of Economic Development and Planning for Schenectady County, said the land designation couldn’t be made until several aspects of the nursing home project were finalized. Gillen said the county is also looking into securing state funding to build trails throughout the area.
“I think there was a concern about doing this prematurely,” Gillen said. “We wanted to make sure we don’t encroach on the home, or take away any recreational opportunities for residents of the home, so that there is plenty of space behind the home.”
The new home is to be constructed in front of the current home, with plans to demolish the existing facility upon completion of the project. To construct the home in front of the currently facility, the county had to move out portion of Hetcheltown Road.
“Because you are moving it up against the road, you open up quite a bit of space in the back,” Gillen said.
The county would survey the land to determine the final lines of the proposed parkland dedication, said Gillen. Only a small portion still needs to be surveyed, he said.
County Attorney Christopher Gardner said since the home was constructed in 1930, the area adjacent to the home has served as a sledding hill during the winter. Since the 15 acres has historically been used for recreation purposes, it is legally considered parkland already, according to Gardner.
“It would, I think, end any ambiguity to this specific issue as to whether or not it would constitute a park,” Gardner said. “This would be formally acknowledging what may have already implicitly occurred through implicit dedication.”
Gardner also said the county wouldn’t be exposed to any more liability than it currently faces regarding the open space, because it is already county owned and historically considered parkland.
Residents Kathleen Collar and her husband, Raymond, listened intently as the proposal was unveiled. The couple has been strong proponents of preserving the land and spoke out at a majority of Legislature meetings over the past year and a half.
“I was especially pleased to hear County Attorney Gardner state that from a legal standpoint, it is most likely already considered parkland, but I think formally dedicating it as such is a big plus for Schenectady County residents,” Kathleen Collar said in an email. “Our group, Friends of the Indian Kill Field, has been trying to get this done since July 2010 so I look forward to the Schenectady County Legislature including us in on any future discussion relating to the property.”
County officials said dedicating the parkland post-construction was chosen since there is a small possibility equipment used could encroach on the area for short periods of time.
Buhrmaster expressed concern about waiting to dedicate the land. He feared it could remain in limbo if construction is delayed or isn’t completed.
`What happens if it gets pushed to 2015 or 2016,` Buhrmaster asked.