Newly Renovated State Seal Spring Re-Opens in Saratoga Spa State Park
The newly renovated State Seal Spring reopened in Saratoga Spa State Park on Dec. 4, 2024.
Photo by Thomas Dimopoulos.
by Thomas Dimopoulos
SARATOGA SPRINGS —Showcasing enhanced accessibility, structural improvements, and a restored pavilion, the State Seal Spring was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting reopening ceremony attended by local and regional officials and representatives last week.
Located in the Saratoga Spa State Park and accessible via Geyser Loop Road, the newly restored three-spigot spring adjacent to the Creekside Classroom marks one of two State Seal Spring locations; the other being across from the Automobile Museum and near SPAC just off Route 50, and among the more than a dozen other differing springs in the park.
The restoration marks the successful completion of the Saratoga Capital Region State Park Commission’s Access for All Campaign, which raised over $100,000 to fund accessibility improvements across regional State Parks and Historic Sites. The specific cost of the spring renovation was about $62,000, and marks a public-private partnership with the Saratoga Lions Club, Saratoga/Capital Region State Park Commission and the Friends of Spa Park, among others.
Key improvements include the rehabilitation of the original stone fountain and plumbing, ADA-compliant parking and sidewalk access, and enhanced drainage. Additional amenities include new benches and a restored park pavilion.
The State Seal water runs 40 to 60 feet deep through a layer of sand near the earth’s surface. Comparatively, the Island Spouter Spring mineral spring nearby drops through sand, shale, and limestone 300 to 400 feet thick and is indicated by a different taste.
“Our objective is not just for able-bodied people to be able to come to the spring and enjoy the park, but we wanted to make it accessible to the handicapped and the visually impaired,” Phil Klein, representing the Saratoga Springs Lion’s Club, told those in attendance at the spring re-opening ceremony. The Lion’s Club is currently looking at putting together a voice-activated system that explains details about the springs for those hearing and visually impaired, Klein added.
The State Seal Spring is the second spring renovated this year. The Coesa Spring project was completed in July.