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Schenectady County Unveils New Access Point at Indian Kill Preserve

Indian Kill Preserve

Over 140 Trees Planted Through National Grid’s Capital Region Tree Program

Schenectady County unveiled a new access point and parking area at the Indian Kill Preserve. The County’s Conservation District partnered with National Grid to plant 17 new trees at the Preserve – the last of over 140 trees planted by Schenectady County as part of National Grid’s Capital Region Tree Program. Some of the trees planted for this project include: Tilia Mongolica, Prunus Sargentii, Malus, Celtis Occidentalis, Ulmus Americana and Gleditsia.

National Grid provided $240,000 to Capital Region counties and cities to support reforestation in parks, public gathering spaces, and under wires that sustained significant damage during a derecho with winds of up to 100 mph that ravaged the Capital Region in October of 2020.

“The Indian Kill Preserve is a beautiful trail system that welcomes many visitors throughout the year. We’re very excited to open this new entry point and parking area in an effort to increase public access to green space in our community,” said Schenectady County Legislator Sara Mae Pratt, Vice-Chair of the Environmental Conservation, Renewable Energy & Parks Committee. “When discussing what locations around the County would benefit the most from the tree program, this was one was one of the locations we knew would be a great fit. I’d like to thank National Grid and our Conservation District for their efforts on this project and all the other tree plantings throughout the County.”

“National Grid is happy to be able to support this new access point to the Indian Kill Preserve trail by providing funding for trees to enhance this new entrance,” said Laurie Poltynski, National Grid Regional Director. “This funding from our Capital Tree Program is meant to provide new plants and trees to many of the areas impacted by last year’s derecho storm in October of 2021. This is a perfect place for this support to be used.”

National Grid provided $40,000 in funding to Schenectady County as part of the Capital Region Tree Program. The Schenectady County Conservation District planted over 140 trees with this funding, and provided mulch produced at the District for each tree.

Tree program highlights:

  • 41 trees planted on Dean Street in Niskayuna as traffic-calming measures;
  • 7 trees planted at the Sustainable Living Center in Central Park;
  • 17 trees planted at new access point and parking area at the Indian Kill Preserve;
  • 5 trees planted at Jaylens Park;
  • 8 trees planted at the newly dedicated Schenectady County Vietnam Veterans Memorial at SUNY Schenectady;
  • 6 trees planted at Zoller Elementary School;
  • 5 trees planted at the Hon. Karen B. Johnson (Central) Library;
  • 5 trees planted at Gateway Park; and
  • 6 trees planted at Maalwyck Park in Glenville.