Saratoga Spa State Park is a
state park located in
Saratoga County, New York in the
USA. The park is in the
City of Saratoga Springs, near
US 9 and
NY 50.
The area, part of which became the park, drew interest from
Mohawk and
Iroquois Native American tribes for its hunting and mineral springs. The Native American name for the area was "Kayaderosseras."
The Saratoga Springs area has the only active spouting
geysers east of the
Mississippi River in the
United States. The
mineral springs for which the area is famous arise from fissures in the Saratoga Fault, which runs from
Whitehall to
Albany. The carbonated water which vents in
springs and geysers is rich in minerals and salts.
Two of the most visited springs today are Island Spouter and Orenda Spring, along Geyser Creek. Island Spouter, which sends a narrow plume of water 10-15 feet (3-5 meters) into the air, first emerged in the early 1900s. Since that time, it has deposited minerals which grow a
tufa deposit at the rate of two inches per year. Orenda Spring has created a massive tufa dome, which continues to fossilize leaves and other debris as it grows.
In the nineteenth century, the area became much visited for its purported medicinal effects. Entrepreneurs dug wells and bottled the mineral water for sale. In 1908, as the springs were being depleted, the
New York Assembly passed an injunction against pumping water. The injunction was ignored; in 1909, governor
Charles Evans Hughes signed into law a bill which made the springs of Saratoga a State Reservation. The Spa was named a State Park in 1962. It was declared a
National Historic Landmark in 1987.
,
,
The park hosts numerous theater and other events. The
Saratoga Performing Arts Center, located on the State Park grounds, has been the summer home of the
Philadelphia Orchestra and
New York City Ballet since 1966. Jazz and dance are featured at SPAC. The SPAC Amphitheatre itself is high, sits in a natural, curved bowl that is bordered by large pine trees and a large lawn space, but is afflicted by the roar of nearby Geyser Creek, which creates serious acoustical problems. Inside the amphitheatre is seating for 5100, the lawn can easily hold an additional 20,000 people. The park is also home to the
National Museum of Dance and Hall of Fame, the
Saratoga Automobile Museum, the Lincoln Mineral Baths and Spa, and the Gideon Putnam Resort & Spa.
The park offers picnic tables and pavilions, a pool, a playground, recreation programs, a nature trail, hiking and biking, fishing, tennis, golf, cross-country skiing and a museum and performance theatre.
On
March 19,
2007, it was confirmed by state officials that the reportedly "pure" mineral water used in the public baths at the state park is actually mixed with from a nearby source. Admission to the baths at the park is $20.
Springs In Operation
Hathorne
Orenda
Hayes
Charlie
State Seal
Geyser
State Seal
Polaris
Lincoln (Baths)
Recreation
Spa Park is very versatile in terms of recreational opportunities.
Peerless Pool- A complex of three pools. Contains a Kiddie pool, water slides and a Zero Depth entry Olympic-sized swimming pool. Prices are
$2.00 for adults (Ages 12-up),
$1.00 (Ages 5–11) for children and seniors. Seniors must be age
62 or older and they must have a valid NYS drivers license or non-driver ID card. Also the senior discount is not applicable on the weekends.
Victoria Pool- A smaller pool with covered arcades surrounding. Set near the Golf course this pool was built when the original park buildings were constructed. Historically the bath house was on the north end while the golf house was on the south end. Today there is a restaurant in the former golf house. Prices are
$8.00 for adults (Ages 12-up) and
$4.00 for children (Ages 5–11) and seniors (under the same rules mentioned above).
Access passes are accepted at both pools and allow free entry. Empire Passports do not include the pools fees, only the park entrance fees.
SPAC- Amphitheater home to the Philadelphia Orchestra, NYC Ballet and site of numerous pop, rock rap and country and western concerts. SPAC can hold approximately 25,000 patrons.
Spa Little Theater- A theater that has many plays throughout the year although most tend to be in the summer and spring. On the north side of the park office.
Tennis Courts
Golf Courses- 2 Golf courses. A par 29 and "Executive" Golf Course. Designed to give a cardiac workout.
Picnic Areas- Eight picnic pavilions. The prices vary some are $125, $150, and $300. Some areas have horse shoe pits, Softball fields and volleyball nets, some areas equipped with electricity and all are convenient to restrooms. Picnic tables and grills in Geyser Loop area.
Geyser Creek- fishing
Hiking Trails
Winter ice Skating and Snowshoeing
Winterfest
Museum of Dance and Auto Museum
Many interpretive programs throughout the year.
Host the annual New York State Section 2 Cross Country Championships.
See also
