I'm constantly on the lookout for great places to hike not far from home. I saw this one in a…read moreguidebook and I'm glad I tried it. The preserve is on 138 acres on a very quiet road. There's a trail on one side of Rarick rd. to the Onesquethaw Creek, and more hiking trails across the road. It's beautiful and quiet but fairly muddy this time of year.

Ample parking in the provided lot on a weekday. I took the white loop that starts across the Rarick…read moreRoad first. I only saw 2 other people on this trail (and 2 later on the creek trail). Easy forest walk, mostly flat with some stones and tree roots. It was surprisingly not muddy and few bugs. Amazing rock formations and lots of native plants. On my way back, I connected with the blue/creek trail, which has amazing views of the rushing water. This is a bit rockier path. You have to walk along Rarick Road a little ways at the end of this trail to connect to the last leg that will take you back to parking. Overall I walked about 2 miles. The trails are well marked and kept. Would definitely come back, a treasure!

This is one of my favorite parks in the area. Not only is it convenient for me, but it also have a…read morelot of the amenities I am looking for. First, it has plenty of hiking trails and paths for scenic walks for families, including dogs. It has two well-maintained tennis courts, a basketball court, a baseball field, pool and plenty of picnic tables. It even has a big playground for the kids, and a pool. I love taking a walk at the paths, especially towards the top of the hill, and towards the back of the golf course. The park is dog friendly as well. I love taking my pup for a walk here. If you go now, they have banners honoring local military veterans, and war heroes. They also just added a memorial for heroes who served in wars. It's definitely worth checking out! There's a fee for parking on some weekends, but weekdays are free.

This park has a lot of shade, very nice for having a little more privacy than most other parks. The…read moreplayground has a rather high jungle gym so you'll wanna keep a close eye on your little ones. But overall very nice and very pretty during the autumn season.

The topography of this place is undulating but not too challenging, even for someone like me, a…read morecouch potato. A river runs through it. Along the way, there are some waterfalls of differing levels. Obviously, the volume of water is dependent on recent precipitation. The "mood" of the place depends of that flow. On most occasions, I could hear the rush of water before actually seeing it. It's an added bonus to this place, changing on a daily basis. Like a lot of things upstate, you've got to be informed about a place before you know it exists. If a co-worker hadn't told me about this sanctuary, I doubt I would have found it on my own. There is no fee but the parking lot is small; there's space for about eight vehicles. Check it out. It's a neat place. It'll do some good to get some fresh air.

Note to self: September may not be the absolute best time to come here because of the very low…read moreflow. Still, there are plenty of things to like about this...once you find it. The falls seem to be commonly known as Bozenkill Falls but the road sign (pictured) says Christman Sanctuary, and the gravel parking lot isn't massive so it may be easy to miss. The first 100+ metres is mostly boardwalks so it's easy enough to navigate. Then comes rocky, uphill trail, but at least markers are readily visible and aplenty. On our first visit I feel like we barely scratched the surface, so will look forward to another visit. Thank you whoever you are, for helping to preserve and maintain this sanctuary!

I have logged many-a-mile on this trail over the years; most often between Kiwanis and Aqueduct…read moreParks. I especially enjoy starting near Schenectady Community College - an easy-to-spot local landmark with lots of room to park for group run meet-ups, a small track space perfect for timing splits and speedwork, and plenty of benches and grasses spaces for stretching and chatting before/after a walk, run, bike, or blade. The path varies in flatness, tree cover, nature-views, and frequency of traffic crossing, offering a nice variety for any activity. I've spotted loads of unthreatening wildlife while on the path, including turtles, deer, snakes, ground hogs, beavers, and many different birds, squirrels, and enjoy being near the water and especially stopping at the locks to stretch, rest, or fuel mid-long run, too. [extra garbage cans, tables/benches, and proximity to other humans makes it feel like a safer space to slow, perhaps?] I am hopeful that the Color the Canal project will return for the third year in 2021, which creates visual and sculptural art to welcome the CEC cyclists riding from Buffalo to Albany each July.

My wife and I walked the portion between Watervliet and Albany recently and it was a pretty nice…read moretrail. Much of it was in the woods along an old railroad right-of-way, so there were plenty of trees providing shade. A couple of clearings allowed for sightlines of the expressway but it wasn't too noisy. One area had a bench, picnic table, and informational display about the location of the old Troy Iron Works. A few areas had cutaways in the trees for sightlines to the river. I wish there was more to see or do along the trail, and it would have been appreciated to have some more benches or tables or whatnot to rest on. But, the area in Watervliet where the parking lot is had a couple of tables.

Nice wooded preserve that winds around to eventually cross the pond and circle back to the parking…read morelot. There are a few different trails so you can go straight to the pond or wander a bit first. Exposed roots throughout but a flat, easy walk.

Walking trails. Two parking spots. The paths are uneven and unmarked. No wildlife but dogs…read more Review: 5

I was visiting in the area and looking for a place to walk without walking on the side of the road…read more Anchor Diamond Park is clean, well maintained and has great signage. Any swampy areas have boardwalks.

Great park with so many trails! Stumbled on this park with my dog on a beautiful, sunny winter day…read more What an exceptional find with a tremendous history dating back to the 1790's!!! The trails are very well marked with signage to help navigate each section. Stop and see the ruins of the original house that was built around 1790 and read the history of this piece of land. Very impressive. The park is also great for cross country skiing and snowshoeing in winter. And its dog friendly (pack out what you bring in and clean up after your doggo)

This is a tiny little park just south of Route 9 and right off of Canal Road. It is so small that…read morethe road it is located directly on (which connects with Canal Road) doesn't even have a name! There isn't much going for this park itself, though there are a couple of benches and a picnic table. You can see the Mohawk River and the wildlife along the coast. Where I think it has the potential to be nice is if you are grabbing food from one of the few nearby restaurants. Instead of eating it there, bring it here and enjoy a nice picnic meal in the sunshine while watching the water.

A Hidden Gem for a Peaceful, Scenic Hike! The Fisher Trail…read moreis an absolute gem! At just 0.66 miles, it's the perfect little escape into nature -- and it's so beautiful, I honestly could have kept hiking for miles. It opened in October 2022, and you can really tell it's a thoughtfully maintained trail. There are trailheads at 47 Fisher Boulevard and 106 Mason Lane, making access super convenient. The first half-mile, from Fisher Boulevard to a lovely viewing platform overlooking the Phillipinkill, is even accessible for those with mobility disabilities, with a well-graded crushed stone surface -- such an important and inclusive feature. From the viewing platform, the trail gets a bit more adventurous, heading down a steep slope into the ravine and connecting to the Wild Turkey Trail. The variety in terrain makes it interesting, and the views are just stunning. Part of the trail crosses a 35-acre parcel owned by the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy, managed in partnership with Five Rivers -- and it really shows in the care and preservation of the land. If you're looking for a peaceful, scenic walk that feels like a mini escape into the woods -- Fisher Trail is a must-visit. Highly recommend for a quick nature fix or as part of a longer adventure in the area!