“I take great pride in the thought that the numerous trees I have planted will endure long after me, bringing joy to not only my grandchildren and great-grandchildren, but also to the children of the entire community. These trees not only contribute to our health but also have financial benefits for the neighborhood.”
In 1937, Saratoga County’s Thomas C. Luther expressed these heartfelt words in his obituary featured in The New York Times. Luther was a visionary who understood the significance of conservation and recognized the positive impact trees have on our well-being, happiness, and prosperity. Trees support biodiversity, provide habitats for wildlife, help combat climate change by absorbing carbon, and mitigate noise and light pollution, safeguarding communities from its adverse effects.
Today, a 4-acre triangular patch of ash, oak, and pine forest, which Luther had planted on previously barren land more than a century ago, is at the center of a contentious debate in the town of Malta. Located on Dunning Street and nestled at the entrance to the Luther Forest neighborhoods, this piece of land is earmarked to host a State Police barracks. Sadly, constructing the 6,000-square-foot barracks and accompanying parking facilities would mean sacrificing a patch of pristine forest that Luther had preserved for 125 years, echoing his passion for conservation.
Right from the start, this proposal has been met with resistance and disbelief. The forest serves as a natural buffer between homes and the bustling Route 9 commercial area. Moreover, access to the proposed site involves passing through a pedestrian path onto a one-way median divide, mere feet away from an already congested roundabout. It lacks a shoulder to allow emergency vehicles to pass through easily.
Why should we develop this land at the cost of losing an irreplaceable forest preserve? Why should a State Police facility be tucked away in a tranquil residential neighborhood when there are numerous available sites along Route 9 that offer better visibility and direct access to the communities served by the troopers?
It simply doesn’t make sense.
A decade ago, the community successfully prevented the construction of a fire station at this very location. We have previously fought to preserve this woodland, and we are once again taking a stand. Neighbors have already collected over 650 household signatures in opposition to this project.
According to county tax records, this land is officially designated as a municipal park. Let it remain as such.
We extend an invitation to the state of New York to conserve this land as part of its “30 x 30” initiative. The 30×30 legislation, signed by Governor Kathy Hochul last December, commits New York to conserving 30 percent of public land by 2030. As she signed the legislation, Governor Hochul emphasized the importance of protecting these resources to ensure a prosperous future for generations to come.
We implore Governor Hochul and the State Police to uphold Thomas Luther’s legacy that began over a century ago and become stewards of our future by safeguarding this forest. Let’s protect the land that generously gives back to all of us.
Amyjean Robbins, a resident of Malta, is a member of the Save Luther Forest Committee.
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