Adirondack Land Trust’s Glenview Preserve. (Enterprise photo — Tori Marbone)

As the Adirondack Land Trust prepares to go before the Adirondack Park Agency to seek authorization to construct a new trail network at Glenview Preserve, neighbors of the land are already sending the APA their thoughts before the state agency begins to consider the project.

The land trust filed its initial application with the APA on July 22. The APA sent letters to neighbors of the project to inform them that the ALT was preparing its application. The ALT’s application is not yet complete, so it is not being reviewed yet, according to APA Spokesman Keith McKeever.

ALT Director of Communications Connie Prickett said the application may be finished within the next few weeks. After that, the APA will open up a full public comment period.

Assistant Public Information Officer Benjamin Brosseau said there is no predictable schedule for a project application.

“We notice adjoining landowners when a project application has been received and give them an opportunity to provide comments in advance, which is what is currently taking place,” he wrote in an email. “This is in addition to a formal public comment period, which has not yet been opened and will be held if and when a complete application is received by the Agency. Adjoining landowners will receive another notice if and when the Agency deems a Major Project application complete.”

The preliminary Glenview Preserve application materials show plans for a 2.25-mile accessible trail system, a parking lot at the trailhead, bathrooms and a 16-by-24-foot pavilion.

The 238-acre preserve, on Harrietstown Hill near the Harrietstown Cemetery, is known for its grand sweeping view of Whiteface and the McKenzie Mountain Range.

It’s been a controversial project, especially among neighbors of the land, who have criticized it as too much development and a traffic safety hazard. Others are excited for the chance to access such a beautiful location not far from town.

There have been several design changes since initial conceptual plans for the property were shared.

Instead of the 3.4 miles of trails initially considered, it would have 2.25 miles of gravel trails with a spur trail leading to a natural overlook on the Bloomingdale Bog. Instead of a 22 parking space lot that was estimated, it would have a 16 parking space lot with three of those being paved handicap spots. The proposed pavilion would have a vegetated roof. There are also plans for an informational kiosk and bathrooms at the site.

The goal of the project is to “provide wildland recreational and educational opportunities for people with mobility challenges, as well as young families and the general public, to connect with nature and learn about plants and animals,” according to the ALT. “Within an hour’s drive of Saranac Lake there are more than 300 miles of traditional foot trails available for hiking (many leading to open summits and inspiring views) but only 14 miles of free trails accessible to people who require wheelchairs.”

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Neighbors voice concerns

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Although public comment on the project has not started officially yet, several letters from neighbors of the project are included in the project documents already.

One of neighbors’ chief concerns are traffic dangers. The hill has a limited sight distance on a heavily trafficked road where cars travel at highway speeds, neighbors wrote. Neighbors also have environmental concerns — mostly about wetlands, erosion and human degradation of the natural landscape.

“We have gone to considerable efforts to avoid wetland intrusions and designed our trails so their construction, operation and maintenance does not impact wetlands,” ALT wrote in its application.

ALT pointed out that the trails only cross wetlands with bridges.

Opponents contend that there are plenty of other accessible places to recreate in the area and say the land should be left alone.

LeeAnne Baker said she believes the land trust has “great intentions” at the preserve, but added that she wishes they would limit the parking area to eight spots, half of what is proposed.

“This would lessen the visual impact from the road and for neighboring houses, and also limit what might become overuse of a 2 mile trail,” Baker wrote. “If they expand the trails system in the future, they can then expand the parking if they feel the need arises.”

Michael and Marlene Martin wondered how ALT plans to keep visitors off their land, voicing concerns about privacy. The Martins said the preserve could become an “attractive nuisance,” with people littering trash or camping on the land, which would be unstaffed.

Donna and Mark Calderone said people already trespass on their property, disrespecting nature and causing an intrusion on peace.

They also had concerns about light pollution from the facilities muddying the clear view of the stars and potential impacts on their property values.

Eileen Jauch wrote that from 2012 to 2023, 149 crashes have happened between Donnelly’s Ice Cream stand and Gabriels based on DOT data, including one motorcycle fatality. She wants the ALT to ask the DOT to reduce the speed limit, but said that might still be ineffective.

Susan Dwyer said motorists speed often on that stretch of road and that people have been killed in crashes there.

Jauch called the plan “a very bad idea.”

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State of the project

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The land is recovering from logging and was last logged in 2011. The ALT acquired the land from the Trevor family in 2016.

The ALT was awarded $100,000 by the state Department of Environmental Conservation in May. In July, federal funding from the Northern Border Regional Commission put $3 million into two ALT projects — the Glenview Preserve and another at an unnamed preserve off of Adirondack Loj Road in Lake Placid. At the time, ALT officials said the money will be roughly split in half between the two projects.

The timeline for the Glenview project has shifted. Initially planned to break ground this summer, the work likely won’t start until next year. The project also would need approvals from the town of Harrietstown and the state Department of Transportation before starting construction.

Prickett said the ALT has contacted the Harrietstown planning board.

The ALT application shows the planners have contacted the DOT, DEC and the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, as well as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers — but not the state Department of Health or Department of Law yet.