Sacandaga Park:
The hamlet of Sacandaga Park is across the Sacandaga River from the Village of Northville. It is in the Town of Northampton. Sacandaga Park retains the atmosphere of the famous cottage community that was once operated there by the FJ&G railroad. The old hotels and Broadway level entertainment are gone but the golf course, many original cottages, the Station, the giant white pines and the relaxed pedestrian life style are still there. The roads are narrow and tree-lined. Summer is the busy season with people lounging on their porches, summer events, boating and water sports. The fall is beautiful with great fall colors in the Park and the surrounding wooded areas. In the winter, Sacandaga Park is a great pied-a-terre for ski excursions and exploring the lake and wooded trails on a snow mobile or cross-country skis. The permanent population of the Park is rising and most restaurants remain open through the winter months.
The Station:
The Station was built in 1920 near the peak of the “amusement park period” of Sacandaga Park. For many years after the railroad disappeared and the crowds stopped coming, it continued to play a central role in the life of the Sacandaga Park community. The Station was saved in 2002 from “destruction by neglect”. It has undergone an extensive restoration that retains its outward appearance while finding an adaptive re-use for the interior that does justice to the building’s historic significance. On March 7, 2004 the Sacandaga Station was placed on the US National Register of Historic Places. The large roof overhangs and surrounding tall trees create a wonderful lounging area during summer when it is hot or rainy. It is also convenient and cozy during the winter when heavy snow builds up around the building and you can ski out of the front door. The former baggage room is available for general storage of recreational equipment. More historic information is on the Station web site.
Great Sacandaga Lake:
The Great Sacandaga Lake was created in 1930 with the closing of the gates on the Conklingville dam in the Sacandaga River. The Sacandaga is one of the main tributaries to the Hudson River. The lake is large (29 miles long), surrounded by hills. The lake edges are protected from development by a NYS regulatory agency. The water quality is high because of the annual snow melt and high precipitation levels farther north in the Adirondack mountains. There are several marinas and commercial dock facilities. Sailing is rapidly becoming a popular water sport. Kayaking on the lake and up the river is common. The lake is uncrowded especially during the week. There are wonderful lakeside restaurants with docking facilities within 20 minutes by motor boat from Sacandaga. The fishing is good in all seasons and 36 inch northerns are caught regularly. The lake has a number of islands; their white sandy beaches become exposed later in the summer when the water goes down from early spring flood level
Other Activities:
hiking, camping
