Snake Hill – Currently closed to public
Over 125 community members attended our Snake Hill open house on August 13, 2024, at Dock Brown’s at Brown’s Beach, and many completed comment cards. Another 120 people shared their thoughts through an online survey. We are so thankful for your interest in this planning effort, and for taking time to share your ideas.
Click here to learn more about what we heard and next steps moving forward!
“Protect Snake Hill Forever” Fundraising Campaign
Saratoga PLAN acquired Snake Hill ensuring the iconic landmark would never be developed. But our work is far from done. Your support is needed today to help Saratoga PLAN steward this $1 million community gem forever!
Our goal is to raise $250,000 for the immediate and long-term stewardship needs of this property, and support Saratoga PLAN’s ongoing conservation efforts that benefit the community today and for future generations.
Thanks to a generous matching gift from Walt and Michelle Borisenok, all donations received by December 31st up to $50,000 will matched 1:1! Any amount that you can give today will be matched dollar for dollar, doubling the impact of your support.
Help us take advantage of this amazing challenge gift for our community by donating any amount that you can today!
To donate online, click here and designate your gift under “I’d like my gift to support” to the “Protect Snake Hill Forever” campaign.
You can also mail a check payable to “Saratoga PLAN” to our office located at 112 Spring Street, Suite 202 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Please note in the memo that you donation is for the “Protect Snake Hill Forever” campaign.
To donate via your IRA, DAF or stock gifts, please contact Associate Director, Michelle Culbert at 518-587-5554 ext. 102 or by emailing MichelleC@saratogaplan.org
Snake Hill is a 30-acre forested dome located in the Town of Stillwater that prominently stands on the eastern side of Saratoga Lake. Its 200 foot rise over the lakeshore makes it one of the most iconic landmark properties on Saratoga Lake that can be seen for miles.
A major conservation milestone was achieved with the $1 million acquisition of Snake Hill, Saratoga Lake’s largest unprotected shoreline, in 2023. Funding from New York State enabled Saratoga PLAN to secure the property from Stewart’s Shops.
The Snake Hill Formation holds a unique distinction as a remnant of the Taconic Mountain lowlands, dating back 450 million years and boasting trees that have stood for over two centuries. According to Nathaniel Sylvester who collected Native stories about the Saratoga Region in 1884, Snake Hill’s Native name Tor-war-loon-da, means “hill of storms” and has historical significance.
Snake Hill will remain closed to the public for the time being.
Snake Hill’s preservation benefits the community by:
- Protecting shoreline, wetlands, and forest in the Saratoga Lake Watershed, within the second fastest growing county in NYS.
- Preventing pollution which would otherwise deteriorate water quality and foster the growth of harmful algal blooms (HABs), already detected in Saratoga Lake.
- Providing natural climate solutions to weather-related events such as flooding.
- Protecting biodiversity by preventing wildlife habitat loss.
To make a non-cash donation, such as gifts of appreciated stock, click here.
Banner images from left to right: Postcard published by J.S. Wooley, Still by Ryan Campbell of Saratoga Drone, Photo by Michael Gaige, Lithograph by Isidore Laurent Deroy (Yale University Art Gallery)