Photo by Erika Bailey

About High Meadow Preserve

In August 2023, we announced the Adirondack Land Trust’s purchase of a 187-acre nature preserve at the corner of NYS Route 73 and the Adirondack Loj Road. In June 2024, we asked for the community’s help to brainstorm names for the preserve and you delivered! We received more than 100 ideas, accompanied by heartfelt stories expressing deep connection to this site—each one reinforcing the immeasurable value of every first impression, uplifted mood, and lasting memory created here.

The final name is High Meadow Preserve. The words “high” and “meadow” coincide with the natural features most familiar to drivers and shutterbugs who admire the land in every season. The name also suggests what people can expect when they visit the scenic pull-off now and the preserve when it is open in the future: a welcoming view of the High Peaks Wilderness across a flat, open area. The focus on “meadow” also invites conversations about management objectives related to maintaining the view and conserving grassland habitat for birds such as northern harrier, bobolink, and Savannah sparrow.

Frequently Asked Questions About This Preserve

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We have received a $3 million grant from the Northern Border Regional Commission to establish accessible wildland trail systems at High Meadow Preserve and Glenview Preserve in Harrietstown. The total project cost for both sites is $4.4 million and we welcome additional support for this exciting work.

We are working with professional planners and trail experts to create a plan. Our preserve management priorities include maintaining existing open areas for their scenic value and establishing approximately two miles of high-quality trails, with safety and environmental sensitivity top of mind. Trails on the property established by the previous landowner are giving us a helpful starting point and will minimize the need for clearing once the work gets underway.

We believe the terrain and trails previously established prior to our purchase of the land are conducive to high-quality, trails with a wide, durable surface on low-grade inclines. These types of trails welcome people using wheelchairs, walking aids, or strollers, as well as children and those who prefer a walk in the woods to an alpine scramble.

Yes. The federal grant mentioned above requires us to complete a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) environmental assessment. This assessment aligns with our commitment to balancing recreational use and natural resource conservation. The public is welcome to request a copy of the draft assessment, which includes preliminary site plans, per this notice of availability.

We are currently assessing the size and location of the future parking area and trailhead. This assessment will prioritize visitor safety, and preservation of the iconic viewshed.

Not yet. The land will remain closed to the public until we can provide safe parking and access. The view remains open for all to enjoy from the informal pull-off on the Adirondack Loj Road.

This nature preserve is in Lake Placid. Glenview Preserve is located about 16 miles to the northwest in Harrietstown. Both properties provide fantastic views along major transportation corridors in close proximity to population centers. At both locations, we are committed to providing and managing high-quality, welcoming trails that can be enjoyed by a wide range of people with varying physical abilities and interests.

Aside from a stipulation in the 1927 deed that the property not be used for a gas station or a dance pavilion, there have been no formal protections in place. Current Adirondack Park Agency regulation would allow for up to four homes on this property. The McBurney family, from whom the Adirondack Land Trust purchased the parcel, maintained the vista for more than 60 years. This site represents one of 38 scenic vistas identified by the Adirondack Park Agency as integral to the park’s essence and character. Many of these vistas throughout the Adirondacks can be seen from a road shoulder adjacent to private land that does not allow public access.

Private individuals and foundations who love the Adirondacks make all of our work possible, including this purchase. We will be raising additional funds to design trails and manage access. If you’d like to support our work, please make a gift.