A $4.2 million redevelopment of Roosevelt Drive within Saratoga Spa State Park that improves transportation safety within the park is complete, state officials announced.
The project adds pedestrian and bicycling pathways adjacent to the park’s busiest stretch of roadway, which connects the Avenue of the Pines with the golf course, pools, picnic areas, and the Roosevelt Baths and Spa.
“We continue to make significant investments that enhance Saratoga Springs’ status as a world-class recreational, tourism, and historical destination,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said. “These improvements make Saratoga Spa State Park safer and more enjoyable for pedestrians and cyclists alike and will help welcome visitors for the Park’s greenspace, history, and shows for years to come.”
Officials said the roadway was moved away from the park’s classical arcades, making space for a large circular patio. It provides a new gathering place to families and friends to begin their exploration of what the park has to offer.
As part of the Park of the Arts initiative, the corridor improvements mark another major milestone in the restoration of the National Historic Landmark campus. The project also expands parking for the Spa Little Theater plus the recreational and cultural attractions of the Roosevelt Campus and provides new EV charging stations.
The new Welcome Terrace, referred to as The Arcade, sits at the entrance of the Saratoga Spa State Park’s neo-classical Roosevelt Campus. It will feature a circle of benches to create the perfect spot for park visitors to socialize, relax, and take in their surroundings, state officials said. For a limited time, people can adopt and dedicate one of these benches.
New stormwater management features will help protect water quality, stabilize water temperature, and improve brook trout habitat in Geyser Creek. These include installing underground stormwater chambers and porous asphalt at the expanded parking lot to filter rainwater and allow it to slowly seep back into the soil, reducing stormwater runoff and sedimentation flowing into Geyser Creek.
“Just nine months ago we announced this project to truly make Saratoga Spa State Park the Park of the Arts,” said State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid. “Backed by federal support, this Roosevelt Drive project delivers improved wayfinding, pedestrian safety, and improved stormwater management. We continue to adapt to climate change and protect and improve this gem in our state park system for the next 100 years.”
The federal funds secured boosts the natural beauty and recreational opportunities, officials said. The investment will make the park more accessible, walkable, bikeable, and safer for visitors and families to enjoy.
“Saratoga Spa State Park is one of the true gems of the Capital Region, and with the completion of this game-changing redevelopment project its natural beauty will be preserved for generations and its recreation opportunities will be more accessible than ever,” U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer said. “With brand new pedestrian and bicycling paths to connect park amenities, the new and improved Roosevelt Drive will protect the natural beauty of the park, and make the park more walkable, bikeable, and safer for visitors and families to enjoy.”
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said it is vital that visitors can safely access Saratoga Spa State Park’s natural beauty and recreation opportunities. “This is a critical investment that will help revitalize the park, improving transportation safety and attracting additional visitors from across the state and beyond. State parks are one of New York’s greatest treasures, and I will continue fighting for resources to ensure they are safe for visitors to enjoy.”
Saratoga Springs Mayor Ron Kim said the completion of the project “will enhance the city’s own ‘Complete Streets’ plan as it will link up with bikeways and pedestrian sidewalks right outside the State Park. I have no doubt that local residents and visitors will be happy to take advantage of these enhancements especially during our beautiful summer months.”
The Park of the Arts initiative envisions Saratoga Spa State Park as a singular global destination for multi-disciplinary arts presentation, programming, and learning through the adaptive reuse of National Historic Landmark structures, set in a spectacular 2,400-acre natural setting. Through collaborations with cultural and educational organizations, recreational enterprises, and private businesses, New York State will create an artistic and cultural tourism destination in a class of its own in one of New York State’s flagship parks.
For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit www.parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer mobile app or call 518-474-0456.