Photo by John DiGiacomo

About Glenview

The Adirondack Land Trust purchased this 238-acre property in 2016 to preserve a beloved scenic vista, conserve forest and bog habitats for plants and wildlife, and secure an opportunity for future public access. Glenview is owned and managed by the land trust as a permanent nature preserve.

The vision for public access

When completed, Glenview’s accessible wildland trail system will provide no-cost opportunities for underserved residents and visitors with disabilities, as well as people of all ages and abilities, to experience nature via meandering trails through distinct habitats and enjoy stunning vistas without needing to climb to a mountaintop.

Why the trail network is important

The proposed accessible wildland trail network at Glenview, combined with a similar proposed system at the Adirondack Land Trust’s nature preserve in Lake Placid, will fill a need for accessible trails close to the population centers and visitor hubs of Saranac Lake and Lake Placid. Within an hour’s drive of Saranac Lake there are more than 300 miles of traditional foot trails available for hiking (many leading to open summits and inspiring views) but far fewer opportunities for people with mobility disabilities to experience nature. Families with strollers, a growing population of people age 65 and older, and others facing mobility challenges all will benefit from the new trail system. Read our report about accessible wildland trails across the Adirondacks here.

Frequently Asked Questions

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The proposed 2.25 miles of trail will go through different habitat types to accommodate broad interests such as birdwatching, photography, painting, enjoying the views, wheel-based hiking, walking, and cross-country skiing. It will have a firm and stable surface suitable for wheelchairs and strollers and will likely not exceed a five percent grade.

The parking area will drop down from State Route 86 at a location meeting state sightline specifications for drivers. It will be below the level of the highway and screened by vegetation. The surface will be crushed stone for 13 parking spaces, paved for three accessible spaces, and sized to allow a school bus to loop around. The trailhead will include a restroom, pavilion, and informational kiosk.

We are evaluating the land, including gathering data about natural resources, to inform the trail system layout and design. To request a copy of our draft environmental assessment, click here.

Starting with the parking area, it is important for visitors to be able to discern upon arrival what they can expect, to help determine if conditions are compatible with their needs. A clear description of trail length, slope, and surface material enables visitors to embark on excursions within their comfort level.

Absolutely. Wheel-based hiking is one of the fastest growing adaptive sports, according to the Kelly Brush Foundation, which provides funding for adaptive outdoor recreational equipment. Trails at Glenview would help to create a “critical mass to attract new outdoor visitors to the region and provide the health benefits of nature to a broad array of underserved people with disabilities,” according to Nick Friedman, the president and executive director of Accessible Adirondack Tourism, Inc.

Please refer to our report, “Ground Truthing Accessible Wildland Trails Across the Adirondacks,” for information about accessible trails on state, private and municipal lands.

The timing depends on completing an environmental assessment (required as part of a federal grant toward the trail network), securing permits, and funding. Work is anticipated to begin in 2027.

No. Early conceptual planning contemplated viewing platforms made of wood. The current plan calls for a trail terminus at a flat area on a height of land above the bog that will provide a nice view without the need for a wooden platform.

The permitted uses must be compatible with our vision for Glenview to be a safe place where people of all ages and abilities can enjoy the scenery and connect with nature. We currently do not plan to allow bikes or horses. Dogs are under consideration as we strive to balance recreation with habitat protection.

We have received a $3 million grant from the Northern Border Regional Commission to establish accessible wildland trail systems at Glenview and our High Meadow Nature Preserve in Lake Placid. Additional project support includes a $10,000 grant from the Cloudsplitter Foundation, a $100,000 grant from the New York State Conservation Partnership Program, administered by the Land Trust Alliance New York and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and funded through New York’s Environmental Protection Fund, and private donations. We continue to seek funds to fully realize the trail vision for this special site.

No. The land will remain closed to the public until we can provide safe parking and access. Until then, the popular roadside view looking across the field from State Route 86 is there for people to continue to enjoy from the informal pull-off.