ANCHOR DIAMOND PARK
Anchor Diamond Park contains 246 acres of conserved woodlands and trails, located at the historic site of the former Hawkwood Estate in the Town of Ballston, New York.
Now permanently protected through a conservation easement by Saratoga PLAN, this preserve is owned by the Town of Ballston and open to the public year-round. The park honors the wishes of the late Frank Schidzick Jr., whose Trust purchased the property and generously gifted it to the Town in 2015. Today, Anchor Diamond Park is a place for visitors to connect with nature and enjoy the beautiful landscape.
Park History
Throughout the park, visitors can view remnants of the former Hawkwood Mansion and estate buildings, including stone foundations, fireplaces, and farm outbuildings. In the late 1800s, the property was a private home with 11 fireplaces, formal gardens, and even early indoor plumbing.
This property was visited by President Theodore Roosevelt and his daughter, Alice. Hawkwood was once considered one of Ballston’s most elegant homes. Though the house was lost to a fire, Hawkwood’s story still lives on in the land.
Rules for Anchor Diamond Park:
This preserve is open to the public for nature study, walking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. Please carry out all your trash and leave only footprints. Dogs must be leashed and under control at all times; please clean up after your pet.
The following activities are NOT permitted on the preserve:
- Cutting, digging, removing, or damaging any tree, shrub, flower, or plant;
- Hunting, fishing, trapping, removing, harassing, touching or feeding wildlife;
- Use of firearms, paint ball devices, or artificial light;
- Bicycles, horses, or motorized vehicles, snowmobiles, ATVs, etc.;
- Alcohol or illegal substances; and
- Camping or igniting fires.
Please follow the rules so that this resource can continue to be accessible to the community.
Directions to Anchor Diamond Park
Hawkwood is located at 1–17 Middle Line Road, Ballston Lake, NY 12019, at the corner of Route 50 and Middle Line Road.
From downtown Saratoga Springs: Follow Route 29 and after 3.3 miles, take a left onto Middle Line Road. After 8.8 miles, the parking lot will be on your right.