Harrietstown awarded $300K grant from DEC

SARANAC LAKE | The Town of Harrietstown has been awarded a $300,000 grant from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Adirondack Park Community Smart Growth Grant Program to construct new recreational facilities on town-owned land next to Rotary Field and the Saranac Lake Civic Center. The grant will fund Phase 1 construction of a refrigerated hockey box and accessible connecting pathways. Bocce courts will also be constructed as part of Phase 1 using a separate $100,000 state appropriation secured by former Assemblyman Billy Jones through the State and Municipal Facilities Program. Together, these investments will transform an underused parcel of town-owned land into a vibrant, multi-generational recreational hub. The project, known as the Harrietstown Community Recreation Facility Project, is the result of more than a year of planning and collaboration. It originated in late 2024 when SLYBSA approached the Town Board with a concept plan to develop the underused town-owned land next to Rotary Field. The Harrietstown Rotary Park Committee was formed, bringing together the Town of Harrietstown, SLYBSA, the Rotary Club of Saranac Lake, the Kiwanis Club of Saranac Lake, Special Olympics New York, and private businesses. North Woods Engineering produced a detailed site plan and construction cost estimate, and LaBella Associates provided grant application assistance. Future phases, to be funded through community fundraising and additional grants, envision a tball/wiffle ball field for youth programs run by SLYBSA, and a community pavilion with a warming room and year-round accessible bathrooms. The completed campus will create a unified recreational destination for residents of all ages and abilities. The project's total funding package reflects strong support at every level of government. Combined with contributions from the Town of Harrietstown, the Kiwanis Club, and an in-kind materials donation from Upstone Materials, the project has assembled a robust mix of public and community funding to bring Phase 1 to life. "This grant is a tremendous win for the entire Saranac Lake community," said Town Supervisor Jordanna Mallach. "This investment will allow us to build something truly special, a park that serves everyone, from our youngest Little Leaguers to our seniors and Special Olympics athletes. It will facilitate year-round use and maximize space. I am grateful to Governor Hochul and the DEC for recognizing the vision our community partners have brought to this project, andI look forward to seeing it become a reality." "We are incredibly grateful to Gov. Hochul and the state Department of Environmental Conservation for supporting this project, which exemplifies smart growth principles and will create new, accessible, and family-friendly recreational facilities in our community," said Chris Knight, President of SLYBSA and Chair of the Harrietstown Rotary Park Committee. "We are thankful for the hard work and collaboration of all the partners who have helped us move this project forward, including Supervisor Mallach and the town board, the Kiwanis and Rotary clubs, Joe Garso of North Woods Engineering, and Jamie Konkoski of LaBella Associates, who worked tirelessly on this application." "Kiwanis Club of Saranac Lake strongly supports this project as it will provide essential recreational infrastructure for the Saranac Lake community," said Donna Walsh and Keith Freeman of the Kiwanis Club. "The proposed facilities, including the bocce courts, t-ball/wiffle ball field, hockey box, multi-purpose building, and accessible pathways, will significantly enhance recreational opportunities for all ages from youth to seniors and team clubs in our region. A sincere Thank You to Gov. Hochul and the state Department of Conservation for their financial support for this project." Building on a Track Record of Smart Growth Investment This project builds directly on a prior round of DEC Smart Growth Grant funding that the Town of Harrietstown used to make significant improvements at the Town Park, which includes Elks Field. Those funds supported the installation of new playground equipment, an extension of the jump line in the Bike Park, construction of a new bridge on the connector trail linking the park to the Adirondack Rail Trail, and new signage throughout. Together, the two grants represent a sustained, strategic investment in Saranac Lake's recreational infrastructure, creating an integrated campus that serves residents and visitors of all ages and abilities.

Signup for our newsletter

Harrietstown awarded $300K grant from DEC

COMPANY

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

SUBMISSION FORMS

BEYOND THE NEWS