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.
