Friends of
Saratoga Spa State Park
Fall 2026
Newsletter

Join Us!
A Day For Action

Help us weed and take down vines in the Spa Complex, replace a few birdhouses and work on invasive species management Sunday, November 15 from 11:00am- 1:00pm. As part of our mission toward beautification in the park we will improve the landscape and give our park some TLC. For details and to let us know you are coming here.

Help Us Fill Our Memorial Tree This Season

Come to the Warming Hut and personalize an ornament made of a pine cone and ribbon of your choice in memory of a loved one to place on the tree during our Holiday Display Tree Lighting event on November 29 from 3:30-6:00pm. Again this year we will have a natural ornament making session at the Creekside Classroom this month to include the community in our decorating efforts for another one of our trees. More details available here.

A woman in a red hat and black winter gear holds branches and loppers in a snowy forest.

Weekly Invasive Species Management Efforts Continue

We keep our invasive species management efforts going year round as long as the temperature is forecast to be above 32 degrees during the two-hour work session. All are welcome to join us and details can be found on our events calendar.

VIEW UPCOMING EVENTS

Regeneron Employee Volunteers Make a Difference During
October 2026
Day for Doing Good

As part of Regeneron’s global volunteer initiative, Day for Doing Good, volunteers dedicated hundreds of hours to Saratoga Spa State Park—and made a lasting impact! Together with Park staff and the Friends, they planted over 360 native trees and shrubs, removed invasive species, cleaned miles of trails, and tackled everything from overgrown parking lot corners and curbsides to benches, marble fountain bases and planters.

Their work gave native plants room to thrive, removed litter and plastics from the environment, and helped care for and beautify the park.

Thank you to all the Regeneron volunteers who spent time with us!

A big thank you as well to Capital Region PRISM, Saratoga-Capital Region Environmental Stewardship Technicians at the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and Saratoga Spa State Park staff for helping make this work possible!

Does your workplace or community group want to get involved? Reach out to us here to start the conversation. We’d love to connect and explore ways to turn your love for the park into action!

A group of people work on a leaf-covered grassy field in the foreground, set against a backdrop of dense autumn woods and a small wooden structure.

A group of cyclists in safety gear stands in the foreground before the grand, white facade of the Lincoln Baths building under a clear blue sky.

Spa Complex Bike Tour

A long-awaited bike tour of the Spa Complex took place in October led by Friends member Linda Harvey. Linda provided information about the many buildings and places of interest in the park.

Saratoga Museum of Hydrotherapy Member Tour

On October 10, members of the Friends had the opportunity to receive a guided tour of the new museum space given by Park Interpreter, Sue Ward, before its opening to the public. Light refreshments were served and participants provided feedback about the experience to the park.

A group of people pose for a photo on a tennis court with a dense forest of tall trees in the background.

A group of men in athletic wear pose with tennis rackets on a court, backed by a dense forest of green and autumn trees.

Last 2026 Tennis Fundraising Tournament Held

On October 25, Brad Winslow wrote: Thank you all for playing and supporting such a great cause. The courts looked and played great! Our tournament started out a little on the chilly side as our ladies can attest, but that did not seem to dampen the spirits of anyone. Congratulations to all the finalists in the tourney! Check out our Tennis Committee webpage to see who won!

Park News & Updates

Saratoga Spa State Park important updates:

Roads: Power lines along the roadways in the southern portion of the park will be buried to avoid downed wires in the future helping to limit the number of power outages that take place due to storms or high winds.
Upcoming Project: The paved path along the Ave. of the Pines will be moved inward to eliminate low spots where standing water accumulates. This will also reduce icy patches along the trail.
Programming: Our Park education team has planned a Candlelight Walk this month as well as many other fun events. See the Friends website calendar page for information.
Spa City Farmers' Market: Inside the Lincoln Bathhouse for the winter season.
Recreation: Bow hunting began on October 13 and will continue through January 1, 2027 in the designated area in the Park.
Upgrades: Creekside Classroom's resident turtle, Lois, got an enlarged home in October thanks to the Environmental Educator staff. Stop in and see it for yourself! In addition, audio visual enhancements have been installed in the Coesa Room at Roosevelt 2, including two televisions, speakers and a microphone system.
New Distinction: The Lincoln Bathhouse has become one of New York State's Landmark Lighting Sites. New York's ongoing support is symbolized by illuminating landmarks across the State on specific days.

Know Before You Go:

Activities and Reserved Spaces Include:
November 29 | FRIENDS Holiday Display Tree Lighting | Warming Hut | 3:30-6:00pm

December 5 | Winter Welcome Disc Golf Tournament and Fundraiser l Disc Golf Course and Polaris Pavilion | 11am
January 1 | First Day Hike l Creekside Classroom | 10am

Engage with the Community

Educate About our Resources

Preserve and Enhance

Turn Your Love for the Park Into Action

THE IMPACT OF YOUR SUPPORT

Your membership and donations empower the Friends to provide the dedicated stewardship that makes our park a premier destination.
PREMIER ATHLETIC AMENITIES
We maintain the region's only 8 Har-Tru green clay tennis courts, ensuring a high-quality experience for local players.
VIBRANT PUBLIC SPACES
Our volunteers provide weekly care for 5 public gardens, keeping the park's most visited areas in bloom all season long.
STRETCHING OUR REACH
From our pump house refresh initiative to repairing park benches, we fund projects that preserve the unique character of our landscape.
COMMUNITY CONNECTION
We bring people into the park through full-moon snowshoe walks, history tours, and refreshments for our hard-working volunteers.

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?

As a member, you play a direct role in the stewardship of our park.
SHARE YOUR IDEAS
Join our monthly board meetings to share your ideas and learn about what's happening in the Park.
EXCLUSIVE DISCOVERY
Attend Members Only events featuring historic spaces and "behind-the-scenes" areas few get to see.

A STRONGER COMMUNITY
Connect with like-minded neighbors who share your commitment to preserving our 2,500-acre resource.

If you are not ready to join as a member, please consider becoming a volunteer or making a donation to support our mission to preserve and enhance Saratoga Spa State Park for generations to come.

BECOME A MEMBER

DONATE

19 Roosevelt Drive, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 | 518-584-2000
www.friendsofsaratogaspastatepark.org

Friends ofSaratoga Spa State ParkFall 2026Newsletter

Join Us!A Day For Action