Friends of Fort Hardy Park is a volunteer group headquartered in Schuylerville, NY with members from the village of Schuylerville and surrounding communities.
Our mission is to advance and encourage the appreciation, understanding, enjoyment, and public use of Fort Hardy Park. We strive to acquaint the community with the needs of the park and to help improve park facilities.
The Friends of Fort Hardy Park exists to:
Create and offer sustainable spaces that foster cultural growth.
Provide activities, events, educational opportunities, and unique programs.
Encourage volunteer involvement and opportunities.
Support and unify the community.
Encourage future generations to learn about, and support the park, so it may thrive for years to come.
Preserve and promote the historical, recreational, and natural features of the park.
Want to become a Friend of Fort Hardy Park?
We formed to help the gradual implementation of improvements laid out in the 2022 Fort Hardy Park Master Plan and had our first monthly meeting in April 2023.
The Fort Hardy Park Master Plan
The 2022 Fort Hardy Park Master Plan is a strategic roadmap that strives to maintain a balance between the natural, recreational, and historic elements of the 37.5-acre park, while providing enhanced recreation spaces, new trail opportunities, and universal access to the waterfront.
In addition, the Master Plan focuses on strengthening Fort Hardy Park’s connection to the Schuylerville Village core, enhancing walkability, improving parking infrastructure and vehicular circulation, and recommending flood resilience strategies for both the Champlain Canal and the Hudson River.
Located at the north end of the Heritage Memorial Plaza, the New Community Center represents the Village of Schuylerville’s commitment to creating a multigenerational hub that meets the community’s needs for social, educational, and recreational activities.
The new 3,000 square foot Community Center building will host the existing Youth Program, as well as provide an opportunity for other special interest and social groups to find a home. The steering and development of programming and management will require the dedication of the Friends of Fort Hardy Park, our partners, and supporters.
The development of a new Sports Complex and Concession Stand, Pickleball and Basketball Courts, Skate Park, Themed Playground, Splash Pad and Picnic Grove is planned.
The two new open-air Community Pavilions have been designed with large scale events in mind. Community celebrations, farmer’s markets, and a winter-time covered ice rink can all be accomplished under the Community Core Pavilion.
The North Park Extension features a Dog Park, Community Gardens, Picnic Area, shelters, and storage buildings.
A Community Boat House and Restroom building provides public boat storage for local residents to store small crafts onsite (kayaks, canoes, rowing equipment) and potentially provides rentals for visitors.
By extending the existing boat launch dock system, a new Low Profile Rowing Dock and Accessible Kayak Launch will be available.
New Parking Facilities provide ample parking and include bus and trailer areas. Additional lawn overflow spaces will be available, adjacent to the large unprogrammed spaces (which will be utilized for stormwater management via bioswales, collection basins, rain gardens, and stormwater planters).
Throughout the park, lighting will be added to illuminate pedestrian and trail areas.
Want to see more of the master plan?