A new land preserve outside Saratoga Springs is not only offering new recreation opportunities, but a peek at what some say is the future of land development.
The newly built Meadow Vista housing development is also now home to the Rowland Hollow Creek Preserve, a 45-acre oasis of open and green space just a few miles from downtown. On Friday, Sept. 7, the conservancy group Saratoga PLAN (Preserving Land and Nature) held a grand opening for the preserve, which is located on West Avenue past Slade Road. The preserve, featuring about a mile of trails, is the group’s 11th preserve.
“We all play unique roles in getting here today, and it takes all of us. We’re thrilled that developers like Charlew Builders are willing to work with us on a project like this,” said Maria Trabka, executive director of Saratoga PLAN.
So far, Saratoga PLAN has protected more than 3,000 acres of land holding trails, water resources, historic places and farmland. Along with the organization, Saratoga Springs officials, Meadow Vista developer Charles Builders and the Rotary Club of Saratoga Springs joined forces to bring the project to fruition.
The Rotary Club contributed the $20,000 needed to build the parking area and a kiosk at the head of the preserve.
“They do great work and we wanted to support it, so we voted for the funding to go through,” said Matt Dorsey, president of the Rotary Club of Saratoga Springs. “We’re so pleased we could partner with PLAN and we learned it takes creativity, patience and it takes persistence to make such a project possible.”
The preserve lies within a zone of the city that requires a conservation subdivision, meaning that developers had to devote 50 percent of the housing development to open space. The meadow of Meadow Vista is circular and surrounded by the homes, and is maintained by the homeowner’s association. The Rowland Hollow Creek Preserve encompasses the homes and is maintained by Saratoga PLAN.
The preserve project got underway about six years ago after many developers opted out of buying the property. Corey Lewandowski of Charlew Builders, however, said he had a clear vision for the property when he saw it. And he added that there will be more like it to follow.
“You will find this in every (development) in the future,” said Lewandowski. “Getting the proper density and the proper price point so the developer can still be profitable is key.”
The average price for a home at Meadow Vista is $400,000. There are 21 units in the development, with 17 under contract.
Lewandowski added trends in the housing industry point to land preservation being a driving force in the future. While he has proposed the concept in other towns, he said that they haven’t been quite as receiving as the Spa City.
Joy Bixby bought a home in the Meadow Vista in July, and is glad she did.
“I’m so excited, I can go out my backyard and (go on) this wonderful trail system. The tall trees here are absolutely breathtaking, and it’s so quiet,” said Bixby.
Proponent say keeping land open and offering it for public access has may benefits. It provides for recreation while retaining wildlife habitats. The preserve also includes many wetlands, which should help protect the water quality of Rowland Hollow Creek itself.
“Rowland Creek flows into Geyser Creek a mile south of the site through Spa Park and connects with the Kaydeross, Saratoga Lake and ultimately the Hudson River,” said Andy Fyfe, stewardship director of Saratoga PLAN.
Fyfe added PLAN is more needed than ever with economic forces affecting municipalities.
“It has to be the way (of future preservation),” said Fyfe.
The Rowland Hollow Creek Preserve, he said, is not an isolated island but rather part of a long-term vision a countywide trail system that hasn’t been updated since 2002.
“This parcel connects into Spa Trail. Zim Smith is 10 miles long — we want to keep going,” added Fyfe.
Kate Maynard, a planner with the city, is proud of the flexibility and creativity among the partners involved with the project and how the developer embraced the concept.
“It offers a very nice reflection in terms of the value of open space in its entirety and the public amenity. We look forward to seeing more projects like this … it’s a model for others,” said Maynard.
She added oftentimes developers will set aside open space, but it is often fragmented. At the preserve, there is more ecological integrity because the land is conjoined. A conservation easement ensures the preserve will be available for generations to come.
“What we really really hope at Saratoga PLAN is that in the future, Andy’s grandson will be able to learn how to ride a bike on the Spring Run Trail … and he can cruise on the Saratoga Springs Greenbelt Trail through the Rowland Hollow Creek Preserve and go down to the Kaydeross and catch some dragon flies … and go swimming in clean water,” said Trabka.
Right now, the preserve consists of a kiosk and trails with markers. The hope is to offer it as a venue for commuting as a safe off-road trail system in the future.
