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.

 

Here’s what we heard from you:

 

You care deeply about Saratoga Lake.

Many of you have spent decades on or around Saratoga Lake, and you have extensive knowledge about who spends time at the lake and what they do there. You recognize the importance of Snake Hill and its role as a visual, historic, and natural resource in your community. 

 

You care about your neighbors and community.

Many of you want to make sure that you, your neighbors, and your community have safe means of access, parking, and enjoying Snake Hill. Many of you have a strong desire to visit Snake Hill or hope that others can visit to share in what makes this place so special.  

 

You care about the environment.

Many of you appreciate the unique environment of Snake Hill, and you care about preserving it and learning about it. Most community members who shared their thoughts advocated for limited or no public access. Some of you are learning about Snake Hill and why its preservation is important.  

 

Some know Saratoga PLAN, others are learning.

Many of you shared support for Saratoga PLAN and understood our interest in getting your input on the management of Snake Hill. Many of you understand what land trusts do and how they manage lands differently than towns or state parks. Others of you have questions about land trusts and how we balance management decisions on our lands, at Snake Hill and elsewhere.  

 

What’s next?
  • Saratoga PLAN’s Snake Hill planning team members are reviewing your comments carefully, and your feedback is guiding revisions to our management approach
  • Our staff continues to learn about Snake Hill history, resources, and values through research and on-site activities. We will continue to share what we learn with you.  
  • We are sharing your feedback with local community and municipal leaders, and asking them for ideas as well.  
  • At the end of 2024 Saratoga PLAN will finalize the management plan for Snake Hill and after review we will share it with the public in early 2025. 
  • Informed by your feedback, we will host an online public meeting in early 2025 to share more details about our management approach and answer your questions.  

 

Follow Saratoga PLAN on Facebook & Instagram, @SaratogaPLAN, or sign-up for our email list for updates about future Snake Hill plans!

 

Photo: Ryan Campbell of Saratoga Drone