Park on French Mtn. named after the late Dennis Dickinson

LAKE GEORGE | A recreational park soon to be developed on a portion of the 317-acre McPhillips Preserve on French Mountain has been named after the late Dennis Dickinson, who served as Lake George town supervisor from 2012 to 2024 and beforehand from 1980 to 1984. Area officials have deemed the park's dedication to Dickinson appropriate, as he advocated for the land's presentation and the park's development, and he was known to support environmental principles and causes. Dickinson passed away unexpectedly on April 3. The park is to feature about seven miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking, an outdoor classroom — and perhaps an education center —developed in conjunction with the Lake George Central School District. The park is to have trails connecting it with both the Warren County Bikeway and the school district's trail system near Lake George Elementary School used by the local high school's cross-country runners. This connection is to provide the ability for students to hike from the school to the park's outdoor classroom. After researching various trail developers since April, the town of Lake George contracted with Tahawus Trails, an enterprise based in Accord, NY that has won awards for its trail development in Bear Mountain State Park as well as for the Whirlpool Steps in Niagara Falls. The trail development is projected to cost about $900,000 of which a total of $605,000 has been received or pledged, drawn from various governmental sources through grants and appropriations. Of this sum, $100,000 was recently earmarked by the Warren County Tourism and Occupancy Tax Committee. The decision is subject to a vote by the full county Board of Supervisors. The McPhillips family owned the 317 acres until fall of 2018 when the Lake George Land Conservancy bought the land for $525,000 and restricted development of the land via conservation easements. The towns of Lake George and Queensbury acquired the property in 2019 from the Conservancy — the cost of Lake George's share has been reported as $67,0000. The park, with its panoramic views of both the southern end of Lake George, Prospect Mountain and the Lake Geroge region is expected to be a boost to area tourism as well as providing a venue that will offer area residents a prime way to enjoy the natural environment. Although initial plans called for the park to be developed by 2025, that is now when development is expected to start, with a target date for completion by late 2026 or mid-2027.

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Park on French Mtn. named after the late Dennis Dickinson

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