Pilot Knob Ridge Preserve

Property Overview:

Originally, the land that is now the Pilot Knob Ridge Preserve on the east shore of Lake George in Fort Ann was illegally cleared and a house constructed. The five-acre clearing became a focal point throughout the south basin and around the lake because it disrupted the unbroken wilderness of the Pilot Knob range. Further development would have greatly changed the quality and character of the entire basin. Clearly visible from nearly any point in the southern half of Lake George, the house and its outlying buildings scarred the once-pristine ridgeline and galvanized support for conservation.

With the help of hundreds of generous donors, the Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC) was able to purchase the 223-acre property in 2000 for approximately $600,000, including additional fees such as closing costs. Upon taking ownership of the property, LGLC razed all structures on the ridge, other than the gazebo, permitting the viewscape to return to a more natural state. LGLC also retained the garage that had been built at the bottom of the hill on the lot’s legal frontage on the private road, Lakewood Avenue. Trails and a parking area on Pilot Knob Road were created for easy public access. In 2009 we renovated the gazebo with a new roof, refurbished the decking and stained the frame, and added a bench on which hikers can rest and take in the spectacular view.

Current Project Overview:

The initial fundraising goals for the purchase of the property fell short, and LGLC has never been able to recover approximately $250,000 that was spent from our revolving land acquisition fund. In an effort to help regain this loss, and to continue our mission of preserving the lands and water of Lake George, we have subdivided a small, single house lot from the Pilot Knob Ridge Preserve. Since LGLC purchased Pilot Knob with the extant house lot, we are not creating a new lot but instead are moving the house location from where it was, on top of the ridge, to the bottom of the hill at the location of the old garage. We anticipate that the 0.81-acre house lot will go on the market upon receiving our final permits, possibly this summer. The house lot will include a dock right and will remain part of the Lakewood Homeowner’s Association.

See the full Project Fact Sheet and Q&A with Map.

 

West Brook Conservation Initiative

Together, the Lake George Land Conservancy, Lake George Association and the Fund for Lake George are working in partnership to transform the dilapidated Gaslight Village area into an environmental park and protect vulnerable upland headwater areas. This $15 million effort is the biggest environmental project ever attempted on Lake George.

On January 22, 2008 LGLC purchased the 1,436-acre Berry Pond tract in southern Lake George, marking the largest dollar purchase in LGLC history and the largest acreage purchased at one time from a single landowner. The purchase, made possible in part through a loan from the Open Space Conservancy and funding provided by the Helen V. Froehlich Foundation, was an integral step in the West Brook Conservation Initiative as the property includes the headwaters of West Brook.

  • Visit the Fund for Lake George website for project details and learn how you can be part of this Initiative.
  • See this new short video on YouTube that describes the West Brook Conservation Initiative. Learn about the transformation of the Gaslight Village and protection of vital upland forests.
  • Contact us.

 

Please contact us with any questions or comments regarding these current projects or other LGLC news, events or conservation projects.

Lake George Land Conservancy • Lake Shore Drive • P.O. Box 1250 • Bolton Landing, NY 12814 • (518) 644-9673

A not-for-profit, member-supported organization that depends on the support of generous individuals, corporations, and foundations.
Contributions are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law and deeply appreciated. DONATE NOW.