The Zim Smith Trail is the main multi-use trail of a network of trails in Saratoga County, New York. Extending twelve miles, it connects the cities and towns of Mechanicville, Halfmoon, Clifton Park, Round Lake Village, Malta and Ballston Spa. The trail is the route of the former Delaware & Hudson Railroad, originally the Rensselaer & Saratoga Railroad which was completed in 1836. It is the only trail in New York state to be designated a national recreation trail by the U.S. Department of Interior and National Park Service.[1][2]
The trail starts at Oak Street in Ballston Spa and runs through Malta's Shenantaha Creek Park. From there the trail passes under Interstate 87, the Adirondack Northway, and brings you through the village of Round Lake. From Round Lake Village the trail crosses over U.S. Route 9 and through a portion of the towns of Clifton Park and Halfmoon.[3] As of 2020, it has now been extended to the city of Mechanicville. There are future plans to extend the trail north to Saratoga Springs.
The Zim Smith Trail is named after Lt. Col. Zimri "Zim" Smith, USAF (Ret) [4] who died in 1994. Zim was active in historic preservation in Saratoga Springs and founded Friends of Saratoga Battlefield.[5]
References
edit- ^ ""Local Zim Smith Trail named national recreation trail; only one in New York" The Saratogian Newspaper". Retrieved 2012-11-27.
- ^ ""National Park Service Press Release May 31, 2012" National Park Service". Retrieved 2012-11-27.
- ^ ""Zim Smith Trail" TrailLink". Retrieved 2012-11-27.
- ^ Yusco, Dennis (May 31, 2012). "Zim Smith trail recognized". Times Union. Retrieved December 6, 2012.
- ^ Post, Paul (June 16, 2012). "Husband and wife co-author new book that explores the origins of Saratoga National Historical Park, where they met". Saratogian. Retrieved December 6, 2012.