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Author: Saratoga TODAY

RecruitNY Open House To Take Place at Wilton Fire Department This Month

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

WILTON — The Wilton Volunteer Fire Department will be opening its station to potential area recruits and their families as part of RecruitNY. 

The open house will take place on April 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Wilton Volunteer Fire Department (WVFD) located at 270 Ballard Road. WVFD will be taking part in the RecruitNY initiative, as volunteer fire departments across New York at their respective firehouses hold a unified recruitment drive. A virtual option with the WVFD, for those unable to make it or with public health concerns, will be held on April 25 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. It is available by appointment only, and appointments should be made by April 22. You can email abobbitt@wiltonfiredept.org to schedule.

Partner agencies also attending the recruitment open house include Wilton EMS, Saratoga County Sheriff, NY State Police, FBI, and LifeNet. LifeNet’s helicopter is scheduled to land at approximately 10 a.m. The public can view the landing from their cars in the Ballard Elementary parking lot. 

RecruitNY in Wilton will highlight the rewards and responsibilities that come with being a firefighter, paramedic, or law enforcement officer. Also, raising public awareness about the need for recruits as volunteer fire departments across the state have struggled these past several years with decreased membership and increased call volumes.

The WVFD is hoping to bolster its ranks so it can continue to provide the optimum and necessary level of protection for its 15,000 residents. Last year the department responded to over 330 calls for events such as the following: fires, motor vehicle accidents, fire alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, natural gas/propane leaks, downed power lines, and EMS assists. The not-for-profit designated 501(c)(3) department is made up of entirely volunteers, including its officers and Chief. 

“This open house is a great opportunity for those interested in actively serving their community in an impactful way to meet their local volunteer firefighters and learn more about their local fire service and what is entailed in becoming a member,” said WVFD Chief Murray. “Our firefighters come from diverse backgrounds and ages with one shared common concern of helping people in their times of need, 24 hours a day – 7 days a week – 365 days a year. It is our hope after hearing how we teach, train, and serve together, more community members will become a part of our organization.”

For area residents looking for more information, visit fireinyou.org or the Wilton Fire Department at www.wiltonfiredept.org. 

Final Draft of UDO Expected Next Week; Here’s How to Watch

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The final Draft of the UDO is expected to be released on April 19. Several summary presentations will kick-off the last phase of this project, and the public is invited to participate via the schedule below.

Major project steps during the coming months leading up to the Council vote include advisory opinions from the land use boards and other involved agencies, another opportunity for public comment, SEQR determination and public hearings. 

The Unified Development Ordinance is a tool which combines traditional zoning and subdivision regulations, along with other development standards for items such as design guidelines, stormwater management, signs and street standards into one, easy-to-read reference document. 

On the following dates listed below, an overview of the final Draft of the UDO will be presented by Camiros, the City’s consultant. All sessions will be held via Zoom. The public is invited to attend any of the presentations and may ask questions where noted. To register, follow the links for UDO at: saratoga-springs.org. 

April 20 at 7 p.m. – City Council Presentation.; April 21 at 2 p.m. – Public Presentation and Q&A; April 22, at 9:30 a.m. – Public Presentation and Q&A; April 22 at 6 p.m. – City Land Use Boards Presentation. 

Prescribed Fires Planned at Saratoga National Historical Park

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

STILLWATER — Saratoga National Historical Park is planning a series of prescribed fires in the coming weeks.  The areas to be burned this year include approximately 40 acres of grasses, shrubs, and woodlands on the hillsides around Stop 3 and Stop 9 on the Park Tour Road. 

Depending on favorable weather and site conditions, the first burns could take place during the second or third week in April. Because certain prescription parameters must be met (including wind speed, relative humidity, fuel moisture, and drought index), it is not possible to precisely schedule prescribed fires in advance. Roads, visitor use facilities, and hiking trails may be temporarily closed while burns are underway.

Prescribed fire is an approved tool for natural resource management throughout the National Park System and is part of Saratoga National Historical Park’s fire management program. The primary objectives of the prescribed fire program are: restoration and perpetuation of scenic and cultural landscapes, including native plant species; reduction of wildland fuel loading; and enhancement of wildlife habitat.

Assistance may be provided by firefighters from other National Park Service units, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the New York State Forest Rangers and The Albany Pine Bush Preserve.

For more information about Saratoga National Historical Park, please call the Visitor Center at 518-670-2985, visit www.nps.gov/sara, or find the park on Facebook or Twitter @SaratogaNHP. 

Thomas Pest Services Inaugural Cerebral Palsy Walk Event Surpasses Fundraising Goal

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

Local, family owned and operated Thomas Pest Services owners Bill Clark and Sarah Thomas-Clark last month hosted an inaugural virtual walking event in support of Cerebral Palsy, with a month-long campaign to raise funds and awareness of the cause, in honor of their daughter.

“We couldn’t be more thankful to everyone who walked, participated, and donated to our event,” said Sarah Thomas-Clark, Vice President, Thomas Pest Services. “This cause always means so much to us because of our daughter, Riley, and wish to spread awareness for others who live and strive with CP.”

As part of the fundraiser, Thomas donated 10% of all sales for the month of March.

This, combined with their facebook fundraiser, totals nearly $7,000 to be donated to the Cerebral Palsy Foundation.

The Clarks’ daughter Riley was diagnosed with right side spastic hemiplegia when she was one and a half years old. While Riley has suffered impairment to her coordination and fine motor skills, Riley is a fighter, and has been attending weekly occupational and physical therapy to help with her condition.

The Clarks and Thomas Pest Services honor the CP cause not just for Riley, but for the whole Thomas team; a number of other employees at the company are also affected by cerebral palsy. 

To learn more about Riley’s story and how she has inspired Thomas Pest Services, check out www.thomaspestservices.com/cerebral-palsy-awareness.

Foal Patrol Season 4

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.

Miss Always Ready, a 9-year-old mare owned by Three Chimneys Farm, delivered a filly by Three Chimneys stallion Palace Malice on April 13 at the farm as part of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame’s Foal Patrol Season 4. The newborn filly weighed in at 132 pounds with a height of 42.1 inches. This is the third foal of the season delivered on Foal Patrol. Both the mare and foal are healthy and doing well. 

Miss Always Ready, a daughter of More Than Ready out of the Dehere mare Miss Seffens, delivered her Palace Malice filly more than two weeks after her expected date of March 30. The foal is a full sibling to Structor, winner of the 2019 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. Structor was Miss Always Ready’s first foal. She has also given birth to fillies by Palace Malice (2019) and Gun Runner (2020).

There are four mares participating in Foal Patrol Season 4. Along with Miss Always Ready, the mares Miss Chapin (Mill Ridge Farm) and To the Moon Alice (Old Tavern Farm) have already given birth this season. The final mare in this season’s program is Janae at Safari North Farm in Versailles, who is scheduled to deliver her foal by Malibu Moon any day now. 

Foal Patrol is a one-of-a-kind interactive web project featuring a collection of live cameras where people can view real-time streams of mares and their foals. The live camera feeds will be available according to each horse’s daily schedule, set by the farm. For more information, visit foalpatrol.com. 

Team Up to Clean Up Saturday & Sunday, April 24 & 25

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The local non-profit Sustainable Saratoga invites you to team up with them on Saturday, April 24, and Sunday, April 25, to clean up neighborhoods, streets and trails for Earth Day. 

“We’re seeing extra plastic pollution and pandemic-related litter this year – things like masks and gloves – littering our streets and sidewalks,” said Whitney Davis, a Sustainable Saratoga board member and co-chair of their Zero Waste Committee, in a statement. “We were looking for a COVID-safe activity to both reduce the impact of the litter on the environment and raise awareness about the chronic problem of litter pollution in our local communities. This event lets us do that.” 

While COVID has limited the opportunity for large groups to gather, Sustainable Saratoga has designed this event so that anyone can participate by volunteering an hour or two to clean up an area of their choosing. 

So, grab some trash bags, gloves and friends to clean our roadsides and neighborhoods on Earth Day weekend! 

Sustainable Saratoga requests that you register (forms.gle/AoyQsUK9v3wA8wWY6) for the event so they can keep track of the impact that participants collectively make that weekend. They will also have free ice cream certificates, donated by Stewart’s, for the first 100 confirmed participants. 

To learn more visit: www.sustainablesaratoga.org.

April 16 – April 22, 2021

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Local Briefs.

Sustainable Saratoga’s Tree Toga
On Saturday, April 24, the Sustainable Saratoga’s Urban Forestry Project is celebrating our community’s resilience and hope for the future by putting trees in the ground at the homes of 15 excited Saratogian families. This will bring the total number of Tree Toga plantings to 270 trees since 2014. This year we’ll be doing things differently and taking into account COVID-19 precautions. Teams of planters will gather at each planting location, getting those trees into the ground, to be nurtured and cared for by the homeowners whose yards will host the trees. The care that Tree Hosts provide is critical to tree survival and the success of Sustainable Saratoga’s mission to preserve and expand Saratoga’s urban forest. Spring is a great time to plant your own tree. So why not join Tree Toga in spirit by planting one in your own yard, and sharing a picture of your new tree at #NextGenTree? Sustainable Saratoga recommends planting a variety of trees native to our local forests, as well as a few of those from the wider region, that are adapted to our soils and climate and provide food and shelter for a variety of insects and wildlife. You can find a wealth of practical information on choosing, buying, planting and caring for trees at: sustainablesaratoga.org/projects/urban-forestry-project/practical-info-for-tree-planting-care

Team Up to Clean Up
Team up with family and Friends for Earth Day on April 24 and 25. While we can’t get together for an Earth Day clean-up, we invite you to volunteer an hour or two to raise awareness about litter pollution and help beautify our area. Grab some trash bags, gloves, and some friends to clean our roadsides and neighborhoods. Location: any neighborhood, street or park. Share your pics #sustainablesartoga. Pledge online to join our socially distanced community litter clean-up. sustainablesaratoga.org

Sign up for the Saratoga Elks Auxiliary Craft and Garage Sale 

Monthly Sale will be an outside sale on Saturday, April 24, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and Saturday, May 22, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. The sale will be in the Saratoga-Wilton Elks Club parking lot on Elks Lane.  Admission is free with over 30 vendors; parking is great, bargains galore.  We offer household items, sports equipment, hand-made items, clothing, fabrics, jewelry, party vendors, pet supplies, food treats, and just about anything you can imagine.  New vendors are signing up every month. An 8-foot table is just $15; call Linda at 518-289-5470 for information or to sign up for a table(s). You may bring folding chairs for your convenience.  All Covid-19 guidelines will be followed; people must wear masks and adhere to socially distancing guidelines. Tables are placed 6 foot apart with ample distancing in front of tables.  Rain dates are Sunday, April 25 and Sunday, May 23.

28th Annual Washington County (NY) Fiber 
All over the County – Nine farms and a spinning mill – Contact: Mary Pratt, 518-744-3947, elihufarm@yahoo.com. Or visit http://washingtoncountyfibertour.org/ and https://www.facebook.com/washingtoncountyfibertourny. 

Brown Bread & Bake Sale 
Simpson United Methodist Church, 1089 Rock City Road, Rock City Falls (.4 mi south of Route 29) is hosting their famous Steamed Brown Bread and Bake Sale in time for Mother’s Day. Brown bread is a delicious, rich, and hearty treat loaded with molasses and raisins, that is steamed in coffee cans over a water bath.  It freezes well and keeps great in the fridge. Place your order by calling 518-885-4794 before Monday, April 26, leaving your name, phone number and desired number of loaves ($6.50 each).  Pick up dates are Friday May 7, from 4 – 6 p.m., and Saturday, May 8, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. with a bake sale during Saturday’s pickup.  Any questions please call 518-885-4794.

Fly Casting Clinic
The Capital District Fly Fishers will be holding its annual Fly-Casting Clinic, Saturday May 1 at the Town of Halfmoon Park, with a rain date of Sunday May 2. The park is located at 162 Rte. 236 Halfmoon NY 12065. The clinic runs from 10 a.m. – 12 noon. Come learn to cast or get help to improve your casting skills.  If you have a rod, bring it. If you do not one will be provided. There is a $20 fee to cover cost. For information: about the fly-casting clinic contact Rodney Priddle 518-421-6762, Paul at 518-885-8257 or cdflyfishers@nycap.rr.com. All Participants must wear a mask and have eye protection. To register send an e-mail to RodneyPriddle@gmail.com. Please include n ame(s), phone number, if you are an experienced caster or new to fly casting.

Horse Tack Swap Meet
To celebrate the completion of the new Horse Arena the Washington County Fairgrounds will be kicking off the 2021 season with a Horse Tack Swap Meet on Saturday, May 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Washington County Fairgrounds. Businesses and Non-Profits with equine-related business and services are welcome to apply for booth space as well. Booth Spaces are $10. for a 10×10 booth – set up a table or bring your horse trailer or truck to display your items for sale. Booth signs ups are available on the Washington County Fairground website or by calling the Fairgrounds at 518-692-2464.Though out the day equine demonstrations on equine care and equine-related events presented by the Washington County Draft Animal Association and the Tri-State Liberty Club will be happening throughout the grounds. 

Donations Wanted for Fundraiser Yard sale
The sale will take place on June 4, 5, & 6, from 9a.m. – 4 p.m. at Gateway House of Peace, located at 479 Rowland Street in Ballston Spa. Items wanted: Household items, jewelry, toys, furniture, tools, etc. 
Donations can be dropped off May 1-June 1. Please call Elaine 518-587-5109 to set up donation drop off.
All proceeds go to Gateway House of Peace. Gateway House is a donor driven End of life home that cares for local resident & families during loved one’s final days.

Volunteers Needed at Saratoga Senior Center
Help senior citizens get to their medical appointments, pharmacies or even grocery shopping. Paint, do handy work, clean, or bring your families to assist with yardwork. Or simply listen to seniors and give reassurance. While these small acts of kindness may seem like nothing to you, they could quite possibly change the day, week, or month for a senior citizen with limited mobility or without transportation. We would love to have you here at the Saratoga Senior Center. Please contact Lawrence at 518-584-1621 x209 Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Southern Saratoga Art Society
Two featured artists during the months of April and May 2021 in The Gallery of the Clifton Park Senior Center, 6 Clifton Common Blvd., Clifton Park.  Faith Weldon works in several mediums including watercolors, fluid acrylics, collage, and pastels.  Joan VanAlphen paints in both oils and watercolors.  Stop in and support the arts in Southern Saratoga County.  For more information, visit www.southernsaratogaartist.com. 

April 10 – April 16, 2021

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Police Blotter.

COURT

 

Jeffrey S. Casey, 19, of South Glens Falls, pleaded April 9 to felony burglary in connection with an incident in Moreau. Sentencing June 16. 

 

Aaron P. Hebert, 27, of Troy, was sentenced April 9 to 5 years of probation after pleading to felony DWI, in connection with an incident in Clifton Park.

 

John H. Pruyn, 22, of Colonie, was sentenced April 9 to six months in jail and 5 years of probation after pleading to driving while ability impaired in connection with an incident in Waterford. 

 

Timothy T. Taylor, 31, of Halfmoon, was sentenced April 8 to 1 to 3 years in state prison, after pleading to driving while ability impaired. 

 

Christopher M. James, of Albany, was sentenced April 8 to 1 year in jail, after pleading to felony burglary in connection with an incident in Clifton Park. 

 

Sage A. Gaudette, 19, of Mechanicville, was sentenced to 1-1/3 to 4 years in state prison, after pleading to felony robbery. 

 

Jesse R. Coleman, 37, of Ballston Spa, pleaded April 7 to attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance, a felony. Sentencing June 17. 

 

Matthew R. Dryer, 38, of Utica, pleaded April 7 to felony grand larceny, in connection with an incident in Halfmoon. Sentencing May 3. 

 

Tyquan T. Smith, 28, of Troy, was sentenced April 7 to time served and five years of probation, after pleading to criminal contempt in the first degree, in connection with an incident in Mechanicville. 

 

Chad M. Cruger, Jr., 21, of Saratoga Springs, was sentenced April 6 to three terms each of six months in jail, after pleading to one count criminal mischief in the second-degree, and two counts felony burglary. Sentences to run concurrently.   

 

Erik J. Klebauskas, 44, of Wilton, pleaded April 5 to aggravated DWI, a felony, in connection with an incident in Milton. Sentencing June 14. 

 

Maxwell G. Peris, 20, of Greenfield, pleaded April 5 to unlawful imprisonment in the first-degree, a felony. Sentencing June 7.

POLICE

Vincent L. Avila, 21, of Schenectady, was charged with two counts of rape in the third-degree, two counts of criminal sex act in the third-degree, use of a child in a sexual performance, endangering the welfare of a child, and petit larceny.  Additionally, Michael T. May, 25, of Mechanicville, was charged with two counts of rape in the third-degree, use of a child in a sexual performance, and endangering the welfare of a child. According to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Department, it is alleged that in the overnight hours between Jan. 27 and 28, Avila and May brought a 16-year-old girl to a hotel room in the Town of Malta, provided alcohol and drugs to her and had sexual relations with her which were recorded on their cell phones. Avila was arrested on April 7, and May was arrested on April 8. Both defendants were arraigned, and Avila was sent to Saratoga County Jail in lieu of $1,000 cash bail, while May posted $1,000 cash bail at his arraignment. 

John Bellon, 27, of Ballston Spa, was charged April 7 in Saratoga Springs with criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminal use drug paraphernalia, use leased/rented/loaned vehicle not equipped with interlock device, and two driving related-violations. 

Christina Montville, 24, of Saratoga Springs, was charged April 8 with criminal possession stolen property.

On April 6, State Police in Wilton arrested 41-year-old Timothy A Gillian of E. Fairfield, VT, 43-year-old Jermain Brooks of Bronx, NY, and 47-year-old Stacey A. Mossey of Sheldon, VT on the following charges: criminal possession of a controlled substance – felony; two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance – felony; criminal possession of a narcotic drug – felony; two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance – misdemeanor; criminal use of drug paraphernalia. Brooks was additionally charged with tampering with physical evidence. Mossey was additionally charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and tampering with physical evidence. State Police stopped Gillian for a series of suspected traffic infractions as he traveled on I-87 in the town of Wilton. When the Trooper approached the vehicle to speak with Gillian, it is alleged drug paraphernalia containing cocaine residue was in plain view. Gillian and his passengers, Jermain Brooks and Stacey Mossey, were taken into custody. A search of the vehicle revealed that they were in possession of approximately 8.1 ounces of cocaine, 6.1 ounces of heroin, and items consistent with the packaging and sale of controlled substances. During a search conducted at the station, Mossey was allegedly found to be in possession of an additional 2.3 grams of crack cocaine which she had hidden on her person. Brooks was found to possess .5 gram of heroin which he had hidden on his person. Gillian and Brooks were sent to Saratoga County Jail without bail. Mossey was sent to county jail in lieu of $50,000 cash or $100,000 bond. They are due back in court on a later date.

Up For Auction: Woodlawn Avenue Building

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — A large, two-story building owned by Saratoga County on Woodlawn Avenue is currently up for auction. 

The building, which stands at 31 Woodlawn Ave., was completed in 1927 and used as a clothing factory until 1936 when the County first rented it from the City of Saratoga Springs. The county purchased the building in 1940 and has served a variety of purposes. Currently, one floor of the building is leased to Shelters of Saratoga for use as an overflow homeless shelter. That lease expired March 31.

The building has approximately 10,300 square feet of useable space, two parking lots, a finished basement, and frontage on Woodlawn Ave. and Railroad Pl. 

In 2020, the land was assessed at $459,200, the total assessment at just over $1.7 million, and the full market value at $2.754 million. 

The Saratoga County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution to hire a company to put up for auction the building in late February. Bidding, which began April 6, concludes on April 28, according to Auctions International. 

For more information about the auction, go to: auctionsinternational.com and search Saratoga.

Clifton Park’s Own Amusement Park

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in History.

On April 3, 1935, wrecking crews began the demolition of buildings and rides that comprised an amusement park in Rexford.  Few can remember when Clifton Park had its own amusement park.  It was located on the Mohawk River in Rexford near the Alplaus border from 1906 to 1933.  Stanley “Spud” Bartow (1916-2009) of Rexford remembered the “House of Glass” filled with mirrors.  As a kid in the 1920s, he would watch the adults try and find their way out.  He would chuckle when he thought about it. 

The secret he said was to keep your eyes on the floor and not look into the mirrors.  He also remembered the rotating barrel that you would try and walk through from one end to another.  The kids managed this quite successfully, but adults again had difficulty, and were thrown from side to side in their attempt to pass through the barrel as it continued to rotate.

Of course, Spud had the early edge on the amusement park rides.  Before the park was opened to the public in the spring, neighborhood kids were employed by the park to clean, test and prepare the rides.  Spud and some of his friends would ride the bumper cars until the metal ceiling was cleaned off by the long rods on the cars that made electrical contact with the metal ceiling.  They would clean the mirrors in the “House of Glass,” and polish the horses on the carousel.  It was truly a fun time for the youth of Rexford.  They were able to enjoy the rides at no charge.

Edgar Shopmyer (1914-2003) of Vischer Ferry Road recalled the first time he rode the “Blue Streak,” the amusement park’s huge roller coaster.  He told of the long slow ride to the top of the coaster, and then as he rounded the crest and faced the steep incline, his heart was in his throat.  No turning back now! And woosh! Before he knew it the ride was over.  This roller coaster was the second one at the park.  The first one, known as the “Whirlwind,” was removed in about 1925 to make way for the larger, more thrilling “Blue Streak.”

The park, first known as Luna Park, after the famous amusement park in Coney Island, opened in 1906.  It was developed in conjunction with the beginning of the trolley line from Schenectady.  The Grandview Hotel, built in 1901 by New York City brewer Jacob Ruppert was the focal point.  The park had several different names throughout its life.  After Fred Dolle acquired the park in 1911, the name was changed to Dolle’s Park.  In 1916 the park came under new management as Palisades Park, and later as Rexford Park.  It closed after the 1933 season, partially due to the shortage of extra spending money caused by the Great Depression, and the rise of the automobile that took people to other destinations.  The park survived two more years as a picnic area for socials and clambakes.

Amusement parks all over the United States were being established in the early 1900s to give city folks a reason to ride the trolley line.  The electric trolley from Schenectady crossed the Mohawk River just west of the present Route 146 bridge (the stone piers of the trolley bridge are still visible).  The bridge was 1,800 feet long and set on 10 piers.  It was considered to be the longest trolley bridge in the world.  It only cost a nickel to ride from Schenectady.  Special park trolleys, called the “Twilight Trolley” were emblazoned with colored lights, a star on the back and a horseshoe on front.

The airplane ride would swing people out over the Mohawk River.  There was also a Whip, Ferris Wheel, a “Razzle Dazzle” (ocean wave machine), and a ride that plunged down a chute into a pool of water.  Other attractions included a Roller Skating Rink, Casino for dancing, Shooting Gallery, Penny Arcade, Bandstand, Ice Cream Parlor, motor launches on the river, a hotel with a bar, fortune tellers and carnival concessions.  Special events at the park would consist of balloon ascensions, fire works, bands, boxing, wrestling, high divers, acrobats, and vaudeville acts.  One popular feature was “Amazing Oliver” and his dog.  They dove together from a high tower into a tub of water.

On July 4, 1907 the crowds at Luna Park were estimated to total between 10,000 and 12,000 people.  A newspaper advertisement for August 4, 1906 advertised Wheelock’s U. S. Carlisle Indian Band at Luna Park, as well as Prof. Bush’s Perilous Ascension in two mammoth balloons.  It indicated that Luna Park was “Schenectady’s Big Pleasure Resort,” and that “Everybody is Going to Luna Now – Follow the Crowd.”  Admission was ten cents, children were free.

In 1935, after the amusement park closed, the owner of the property, the Cyrus W. Rexford estate, decided to raze the existing buildings to avoid paying heavy state, county, and town taxes on unprofitable property.  The land was to be sold for summer camps.  On April 3, 1935, John Millington’s wrecking crews began demolition of the buildings and roller coaster trusses.  The other rides had been sold earlier to surviving amusement parks. The trolleys continued to use the steel bridge at Rexford until they were pulled off the line on December 7, 1941.  The bridge was dismantled in 1942 when steel was necessary to make weapons for World War II.

Today, all that remains of the Rexford Amusement Park are the concrete footings for the roller coaster and other park buildings hidden in overgrown woods.  Some of the large trees that grew throughout the life of the park are still there. Postcard views, photographs and memories tell us of summers long ago when people flocked to Rexford on the electric trolley to enjoy a day of fun, the “Great Escape” of the 1920s.  If the park had only survived!

John Scherer is the Clifton Park Town Historian and also Senior Historian Emeritus at the New York State Museum. He holds a master’s degree in museum studies and American Folk Life from the Cooperstown Graduate Program. John can be reached at jlscherer@aol.com