Nature
Preserves and Parks in or near East Nassau
Bell Park on Route 20
On Route 20, on the site of the former Methodist Church, which burned down in 2016, a park has been created by the Village and is maintained by volunteers. It features the former bell tower and bell of the church and is planted with lawn and daffodils.
The
Albert Family Community Forest
At the end of Hayes Rd., off Route 66, is the Albert Family Community Forest, a tract of over 300 acres of land that has been made accessible to the public courtesy of the Albert family and the Rensselaer Plateau Alliance. It is open sunrise to sunset for walking, hiking and, in season, hunting. There is a small parking area at the information center. The forest includes handicapped-accessible trails. Dogs are allowed on leash. Hunters need to acquire the proper permits. The Rensselaer Plateau Alliance, which manages the forest, also hosts events here including nature walks, forest bathing, and walking meditations.
The
Kinderhook Preserve
The parking area for the Preserve is on Martha Hicks Road owned by The Rensselaer Land Trust (RLT), with information booth and sign-in clipboard. The preserve consists of 85 acres of trails of varying difficulty, and also a pleasant picnic/swimming area on the Kinderhook Creek not far from the parking area. It is open year-round from sunrise to sunset. During the spring and summer, there are occasional nature walks here hosted by the RLT.
The
Robert Ingalls Preserve
The Robert Ingalls Preserve, also owned by the Rensselaer Land Trust, on Garfield Rd. in Stephentown, approx. 2 miles going east from the intersection of Routes 66 and 26 (the Garfield-East Nassau Rd.) contains 50 acres of woods and streams and features several moderate trails. Parking is along the Garfield-East Nassau Rd.
The
Mud Pond Preserve
The Mud Pond Preserve, containing nearly 700 acres of forest,100 acres owned by the Town of Nassau, is a complex ecosystem including a six-acre pond surrounded by rare flora and fauna and three trail loops with buffers for sensitive areas. It is open to the public year-round from sunrise to sunset for hiking and walking. Parking is by the information board on Central Nassau Road (County Route 16).
The
Rensselaer Plateau
A section of Garfield Rd. in the eastern part of the Village of East Nassau borders the enormous natural feature/geological formation known as the Rensselaer Plateau.
Berkshire Botanical Garden
In Stockbridge, MA, est. 1934, 15 acres of plantings, ponds, picnicking, exhibits, events.
Springside Park
Within the city of Pittsfield, a 231-acre park with extensive gardens including the Hebert Arboretum and a featured Lilac Walk. (www.
Fishing
Trout fishing public access in/near East Nassau:
- On Tayer Rd., just south of the intersection of Tayer Rd. and the Garfield-East Nassau Rd. (just off Route 66), there is a small parking area with public access to the Kinderhook Creek for fishing. The access is clearly marked with a sign. A fishing license is required (see http://www.eregulations.com/newyork/fishing/license-information/).
- Access in Stephentown is also available nearby at Adams Crossing, on Adams Crossing Rd., in Stephentown.
- Access to the Kinderhook Creek is also available along route 20 heading west from East Nassau.
- Trout fishing in Glass Lake (Sand Lake, NY) - Open season is all year, includes ice fishing.
Hunting
See the NY DEC Hunting information page.
Water Bodies of East Nassau: Creeks, brooks, and lake
The Kinderhook Creek [to be described]
Black Brook: [to be described]
Tsatsawassa Creek: [to be described]
Tsatsawassa Lake: [to be described]
DEC-Designated Wetlands: East Nassau has two DEC-designated wetlands, both bordering Route 66. One lies just south of the intersection with Woodard Rd. to the east and Tsatsawassa Lake Rd. to the west. It borders the bridge under which Black Brook flows to join the Kinderhook Creek. The other lies just to the north of Hoags Corners.
more?
Other amenities of interest near East Nassau
- Eastfield Village: This unique historic village consisting of 28 19th-century and 18th-century buildings on 14 acres of land lies within a few minutes’ drive of the Village of East Nassau on Mud Pond Rd. It was painstakingly assembled over many years by amateur historian Don Carpentier, beginning when he was a teenager. It is open to the public just once a year, in the fall, for tours, demonstrations of traditional crafts, concerts, and meals in the tavern. It also hosts summer courses in such arts as tin-smithing, weaving, and candle-making. (See https://www.historiceastfield.org/)
