This society has clearly improved its village
Saranac Lake’s Village Improvement Society has lived up to its name in its 100 years, and that’s as much as you can ask of a grassroots group. The multitude of parks the VIS established over its 10 decades, faithfully following the 1907 Olmsted Plan, have made this village more beautiful, which gives immeasurable refreshment to the souls of residents and visitors alike. Now we have a Lake Flower waterfront we can see, surrounded by grass and trees and boat launches. We have a river we can not only see (and not smell, as when the river was largely a garbage dump) but also happily walk along, fish in or float down in a canoe or kayak. We have an arboretum on Olive Street, although it could use labeling of its various trees and some cleaning up of cut wood and litter. Natural woods are nice, but to raise something to the level of arboretum requires a little extra effort. This would be an excellent project for some eager students.
» Full StoryHow does the Village Improvement Society accomplish all this?
SARANAC LAKE — The Village Improvement Society has always worked on a spare budget, raised through an August fund drive. Last year’s $10,000 goal netted nearly $8,000.
» Full StoryBusy beaver gave name to local park
SARANAC LAKE — The Village Improvement Society left the Newman property, purchased in 1958 at the corner of Dorsey Street and LaPan Highway, in its natural grassy state until 1980, when someone began to fell the saplings at the Saranac River’s edge...
» Full StoryLittle Vest Pocket Park
SARANAC LAKE — Vest Pocket Park was established in 1972 on Main Street between the Saranac Lake Free Library and the then-Blue Gentian (most recently Bella Roma) restauran.
» Full StoryFrom swamp to arboretum
SARANAC LAKE — “Small open spaces ... scattered about a village ... furnish the opportunity for people to rest outdoors. ...
» Full StoryImproving the Saranac riverbank
SARANAC LAKE — “I do most strongly recommend that both shores of the river from Lake Flower to the railroad bridge be taken and permanently controlled by the town, primarily as a safeguard against undue encroachments into the river channel of...
» Full Story
US vs Canada
Sen. Schumer visits
Hannaford coming soon sign
Asian Buffet
Back to school
Hobofest performers
Frankenpine, dancers
Roulette Sisters, sunset