On August 20th 2011, Saratoga P.L.A.N. officially opened the 606-acre Hennig Preserve in the Town of Providence.  Bob Hennig and Penny Steffen, Barbara Hennig and the late Mally Sue Bleikamp Hennig lovingly cared for this property for over 50 years.  They donated the property to Saratoga P.L.A.N. last fall. “We are pleased that Saratoga P.L.A.N. has agreed to accept the donation of our land and will care for its stewardship in coming years.  This will ensure that a large tract of land in the town of Providence will be preserved” said Bob Hennig.

Saratoga P.L.A.N. will manage the property as a natural area for native forest and wetland flora and fauna.  It will be open to the public for passive recreation such as hiking and walking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and nature study.   A conservation easement placed earlier on the property, as well as on 140 additional adjacent acres, prevents all other uses.

P.L.A.N. Stewardship Director Andy Fyfe and volunteers have scouted out the best trail locations and trailheads and are working with Saratoga County to integrate 476 acres of contiguous county forest land into the trail network. One trail has been cut, staff and volunteers are planning the others.

“P.L.A.N. is honored that the Hennigs asked us to become stewards of their land. This is the largest preserve that P.L.A.N. has ever managed and a milestone for land conservation in Saratoga County. The land has been so well cared for – the Hennigs were active stewards who walked the land regularly and knew every special patch of native flora. Their caretaking will be missed but P.L.A.N. will try and live up to their standards” said Maria Trabka, Executive Director.

Volunteers Frank Lombardo, Norm Kuchar and Walt Hayes stand near the newly installed Hennig Preserve sign.  Thanks for all your help, gentlemen!

A grant from the Dockstader Charitable Trust covered the transaction and initial Stewardship start-up costs associated with accepting the property. “We were delighted to be involved in such a worthy project” said Dusty Rhodes of the Dockstader Charitable Trust.  Stewardship endowment funding of $45,000 was raised privately to ensure that Saratoga P.L.A.N. will be able to care for the land in perpetuity.

Long term care requires the generous support of the public.  Donations are being accepted for the Hennig Preserve signage, informational kiosk, map, parking area, tail maintenance and trail markers. Actively looking for volunteer Site Stewards to help maintain this beautiful property.  Contact Andy Fyfe, Stewardship Director, at andy@saratogaplan.org to learn more.

Directions: 

Direction to Hennig Preserve (approximate Google street address is 150 Centerline Road, Providence NY)

From Saratoga Springs area (points east):

• Take NY-29 west for 12.7 miles form Saratoga Springs.
• Turn right onto Barkersville Rd/Co Rd 16 just before the bright yellow Waterwheel Village Country Store
• In 2.4 miles you will have to take a slight right at a 3-way corner to stay onto Barkersville Rd. at the Providence Town Center.
• Continue on Barkersville for .5 miles
• Take your second left onto Glenwild Road.
• In .5 miles you will come to a stop. Take a right to stay on Glenwild Rd. Continue for another .75 miles.
• Turn right on Centerline Road.
• Destination is just over .5 miles…parking is on your right just after Hennig Preserve sign.