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The Adirondack Park Agency (APA) is accepting public comment for proposed amendments to the Camp Santanoni Historic Area Unit Management Plan (UMP). Camp Santanoni is located north of the Town of Newcomb in Essex County.
The camp covers a total of 32.2 acres of land and includes: the Gate Lodge Complex, the Farm Complex, the Main Camp Complex and the Newcomb Lake Road.
The APA will accept public comments regarding the proposed amendments and how they meet the guidelines and criteria of the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan (APSLMP). The public comment period will run through January 29, 2016.
Camp Santanoni was created by Robert C. Pruyn (1847‐1934), a successful Albany banker and businessman. Whole log construction and rustic styling was used to build the camp, and it contains examples of local Adirondack craftsmanship, architectural detail, finishes and decoration. Camp Santanoni is the only great camp entirely in public ownership and stewardship. About half of the original structures remain.
Management Proposals Include:
General
1. Further commitments to interpretation through the use of limited signage.
2. Enhance fire protection and prevention measures. Installation of a fire alarm system and the employment of fire retardant coatings on all buildings. The ability of the Department of Environmental Conservation to respond to fires and other emergencies will also be enhanced.
3. Complete a “Cultural Landscape Study” to help DEC better understand how landscape modification and management led to the development and operation of Camp Santanoni, and to guide the future management and interpretation of the area.
Gate Lodge Complex
1. Construct a new pole barn to accommodate operation and maintenance equipment needs.
2. Create a portion of a major snowmobile trail to pass through the Gate Lodge Complex. Public snowmobile use will continue to be prohibited in the historic area except as specified above.
3. Install a fire alarm system and the employment of fire retardant coatings on buildings.
Farm Complex
1. Construct a replica of the Barn on the surviving foundation.
2. Adjust the boundary of the Farm Complex to incorporate the surviving apple orchard and vegetable garden, comprising about 2.5 acres to be reclassified and incorporated into the Historic Area. A corresponding area reduction in the boundaries around the main Farm Complex is proposed, with an equal area of 2.5 acres being reclassified to Wild Forest.
3. Manage the landscape of the Farm Complex, to maintain the look and feel of a working farm.
4. Installation a fire alarm system and the employment of fire retardant coatings on buildings.
Main Camp Complex
1. Develop a water source for firefighting at the Duck Hole Bridge on Newcomb Lake.
2. Add a pumpable tank privy or composting toilet to accommodate visitor use.
3. Install a fire alarm system and the employment of fire retardant coatings.
For more information or to download the proposed Camp Santanoni Historic Area Unit Management Plan visit the Agency’s website.
Address all written comments pertaining to Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan conformance to:
Kathy Regan
Deputy Director for Planning
NYS Adirondack Park Agency
P.O. Box 99
Ray Brook, NY 12977
Fax: (518) 891-3938
Email – SLMP_Comments@apa.ny.gov
Submit all written comments to the APA by January 29, 2016.
Photo provided by Adirondack Architectural Heritage.
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Thanks to the editorial staff for the announcement but also for the detail provided which is a very helpful service to your readers.
Many of these proposals sound fantastic!
Great Camp Santanoni is one of the Park’s finest treasures. Protecting the buildings and grounds from fire is essential. Reconstruction of the barn may not be necessary, but it would help to restore the original character of the grounds. If the amendment is passed, I would suggest that the work be done by local contractors and craftsmen.
This area is a treasure and I’m glad to see these proposals. Hope they are enacted, especially the ones regarding fire prevention.
Please read this carefully.
2. Create a portion of a major snowmobile trail to pass through the Gate Lodge Complex. Public snowmobile use will continue to be prohibited in the historic area except as specified above.
A major snowmobile trailhead and trail will destroy the solitude of the skiing into Santanoni. It is one of the few nice gently rolling long trails where you can ski, especially in the evening and moonlight and not hear the roar of snowmobiles from your car to the great camp destination. Snowmobiles anywhere near this trail will destroy this wonderful experience.
Thanks for getting the news out on this possible work. Please share with others, as there are only a few days left to get comments back. I first visited the site in 1978 as a kid, and have gone back a number of times. I simply love it. It makes me feel good about the roofs I have to fix at my own camp!
I really support the idea of local craftspeople working on this site, I think that has been the practice over the last decades, and the use of traditional building methods as much as possible will protect the character of the site.
Agree with Chris W. about the incompatability of snowmobiling and crosscountry skiing in this area….