You Saved Bender Melon Farm!
What's Next?
Introduction
The Bender Melon Farm is an approximately 175 acre parcel, located in the Town of New Scotland and just outside the Village of Voorheesville. It is currently a mix of forest, fields and wetland areas. The property is divided by the Helderberg Hudson Rail Trail, which connects Albany to Voorheesville. An old steel bridge spans the two portions of the parcel across the trail.
In 2020, the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy (MHLC) was able to acquire the Bender Melon Farm, saving it from large scale development. We are looking to the community to provide ideas as we consider the future of the property. Thank you for helping to save this important place!
Please scroll down to see the key areas of the property and what we envision could occur in each location.
Please note: To visualize an acre, think of a football field without end zones or a space that 18 average size homes (2,400 square feet each) could fit.
Thank you for your time and we look forward to creating a great resource for the surrounding communities!
Future Community Gardens
We envision a variety of possibilities for the Bender Melon Farm, including some shown on the map to the right:
- A perimeter trail that would provide connections to the Captain Joseph Hilton Town Park and the Helderberg Hudson Rail Trail
- Future community gardens adjacent to the Captain Joseph Hilton Town Park
- Forest trails through the wooded areas of the property with mountain bike enhanced trails north of the Rail Trail
- Agricultural uses in the fields along Route 85A
- Habitat restoration on the eastern portion of the site
- A potential Welcome Center in the area of the abandoned farm buildings
- A 20-acre development center along New Scotland Road that will support the Town of New Scotland's vision of a future Town Center at the cross road of 85 and 85A
Perimeter Trail Linking All Use Areas
We are also considering a perimeter trail that will link all of the areas together as well as tie into the trails within the Captain Joseph Hilton Town Park and connect to the Helderberg Hudson Rail Trail.
A vision for each of these areas is outlined below.
Future Community Gardens
Located in the northwest corner of the site, approximately 16 acres of existing agricultural fields provide an opportunity to create a community gardens and community supported agriculture activities.
This area is located adjacent to the Town of New Scotland's Captain Joseph Hilton Town Park where the historic Hilton Barn was relocated. The barn is being restored by the Town as a future community space, with an amphitheater, ice skating pond and restrooms.
This area of rolling fields has a long history of agricultural use.
With seasonal bus service from CDTA now available at the Hilton Barn, riders from the City of Albany and around the region can ride to this location. This site could also support community gardens for the surrounding housing developments and nearby Village of Voorheesville.
An example of a successful Community Garden - The Cambridge Community Garden in Washington County is a great community asset with a mix of individual and community growing areas that also provides education opportunities to local students.
Large fields on the left are the location of this potential community garden area.
A rendition of what future Community Gardens and Community-based agriculture on the landscape could look like.
Forest Trails and Mountain Biking
Two forested areas on the property are divided by the Helderberg Hudson Rail Trail and connected by a steel bridge that spans the Albany County Helderberg Hudson Rail Trail. Combined, this area encompasses approximately 60 acres of land.
Once restored the bridge will link the north and south portions of the Forest Trails area across the Rail Trail. Walking trails would be located south of the Rail Trail, while the northern portion would include a professionally designed mountain bike trail along with walking trails that will be part of a perimeter trail encircling most of the property.
Looking north along the Helderberg Hudson Rail Trail with the existing steel bridge linking the two Forest Area sections in the distance.
These multi-use trails for walkers, runners, and mountain bikers would ensure enjoyment for all.
To the right is a depiction of what the bridge could look like refurbished for walkers and bikers accessing the Forest Area trails to the north and south of the Rail Trail. The current state of the bridge and examples of existing trails in nearby locations are shown below.
The existing steel bridge linking the north and south portions of the Forest Trails area across the Rail Trail and example trail photos from other preserves.
85 A Front Fields
This area, located in the western portion of the site, is approximately 27 acres, has over 1/4-mile of frontage along Maple Road (Route 85A) and offers scenic views across the property.
This area has historically been used for agriculture, and we envision it remaining that way in the future. Maintaining these farm fields will allow Bender Melon Farm to help sustain agriculture in the region while keeping the viewshed open for those traveling through the hamlet to and from Voorheesville.
This section might also be in an area in which agricultural demonstrations could occur, teaching people about grazing animals or restaurant gardens to learn where food comes from.
View along Maple Road / Route 85A of Front Field Area.
Habitat Restoration Area
This is the eastern-most portion of the site, approximately 66 acres, bordered by the Rail Trail to the northeast.
The headwaters of the Phillipinkill Creek begin along the western side of this area. While it has formerly been in use for agriculture, there are many wet areas throughout this portion of the site.
We envision restoring the wetland and meadow habitats to create an area rich in biodiversity. Interpretative signage could provide educational information along the perimeter trail that would skirt this area, informing visitors about the diverse ecosystems they are witnessing from the trail. Restored meadows would provide important bird and wildlife habitat, making this a fun area for nature watchers and birders.
These fields could become important areas for birds and other wildlife.
Example bird viewing area in protected grassland habitat in Washington County, NY (source: https://www.albany.com/birding/washington-county-grasslands/ ).
With restoration effort, this area could support waterfowl and grassland birds, making it a great place to enjoy nature from the perimeter trail.
Farmstead Area
Located in the center of the site, the approximately 4 acre farmstead area is the location of the former and abandoned farm buildings.
Currently the area is sparsely wooded with a few buildings in varying states of disrepair. This area could be used as an interpretive center, or welcome center in the future.
Future Development
From the beginning of this project, MHLC's goal was to ensure a balance between the built and natural environment.
20 acres of the 195-acre Bender Melon Farm will be sold for future development. The 20-acres is zoned hamlet residential in the Town of New Scotland and is situated near existing development. By adding this development parcel to this area, MHLC supports the Town's plan to create a New Scotland Town Center at the corners of 85 and 85A. This will also ensure that a portion of the property remains on the tax rolls.
The 20-acre Future Development area has approximately 945 feet of frontage along Route 85 / New Scotland Road and there is existing commercial development adjacent to the west and across New Scotland Road to the South.
Sign found in the farmstead area showing what could have been.
