Description
Palmer Road Preserve is a 57-acre protected area owned and maintained by Rensselaer Land Trust and generous volunteers. The Preserve features forested hills and ravines and a 12-acre wetland supplied by the Moordener Kill, whose headwaters pass through the Preserve. Palmer Road Preserve is open year-round, dawn to dusk, and is a carry-in-carry-out facility.
Palmer Road Preserve, one of RLT’s neighborhood nature preserves, protects some of Schodack’s remaining undeveloped open space. Its location amidst a residential development makes it convenient for nearby residents to visit and explore a natural area.
The Preserve is home to fox and other woodland animals, turkey, raven, and many other bird species. Bear have also been observed. Many spring wildflowers occur here, including trout lily, gaywings, violets, and Jack-in-the-pulpit.
The Preserve features a 1-mile loop trail system. Hiking, birdwatching, and other forms of passive recreation are permitted and encouraged; however, hunting and the use of motorized vehicles are prohibited. The .2-mile entrance trail, marked by white blazes, begins just past the information kiosk and meets the .8-mile perimeter loop trail, which is marked by yellow blazes. The .1-mile orange trail connects two sections of the yellow trail creating a shorter loop.
Palmer Road Preserve was created in 1994 by Schodack Area Land Trust. Working with a developer and the Town of Schodack, SALT negotiated a donation of 57 acres of undeveloped land and set it aside for permanent protection. SALT created the trail system and maintained it for many years. In 2020, the property was transferred to Rensselaer Land Trust upon the voluntary dissolution of SALT.
Palmer Road Preserve adds to RLT’s growing network of neighborhood nature preserves. These properties will complement existing parks and protected areas and provide places for local residents and visitors to enjoy nature and inspire them to protect it.
Rules
Palmer Road Preserve is open to the public from dawn to dusk. Permitted activities are hiking, nature viewing, skiing, snowshoeing, fishing, educational study, and birding. Please take all trash out with you.
Swimming, mountain biking, motorized vehicles including ATVs and motorcycles, camping, and removal or disturbance of plants and wildlife are not permitted.
Hunting is permitted with a permit from the Rensselaer Land Trust. Contact the Land Trust office for more information.
Directions
The entrance to Palmer Road Preserve is located just beyond the cul-de-sac at the end of Thoroughbred Drive, East Greenbush.
Map
