River Walk at Speculator

THE RIVER WALK AT SPECULATOR...

a Summertime Delight!

WRITTEN & PHOTOGRAPHED BY WENDY HOBDAY HAUGH

Every summer, when the temperatures climb and the soft ice cream stands open for business, my husband, Chuck, and I head north on Route 30 to stroll along the peaceful River Walk in the Village of Speculator. This community-built mix of boardwalk, gravel, and hard-packed dirt pathways enables visitors to explore enchanting stretches of forest and wetlands along the Sacandaga River. For us, it’s a summertime rite of passage to walk the quiet trails, savoring the lush forests, blue skies, and joyful mix of diverse birdsong. While walking, we search for seasonal wildflowers like partridgeberry, turtlehead, spotted touch-me-not, and calla lily.

The Sacandaga River Community

Park, as the trail is officially called, attracts nature enthusiasts of all ages and abilities. Located just off Route 30 as you enter the village, at the far end of the Speculator Pavilion Park’s ball field, this 1.5 mile trail with 850-feet of boardwalk is handicapped-accessible and stroller-friendly. Signage along the pathways identifies the many different plants, trees, birds, fish, and animals found in the area. Other educational placards contain historical information, photos, and illustrations about the Indian tribes that once lived there, the logging industry, and Adirondack trail guides of yore. Numerous benches dot the paths, and two viewing stations situated along the Sacandaga River provide picture-perfect spots for reflection and photographs. Stand quietly on the riverside dock, and you’ll see fish and ducks swimming among the waterlilies. Tread softly in the forest, and you might even spot a doe foraging among the ferns with her fawn.

A vintage Route 66 village takes us back to yesteryear. A rustic Adirondack sign welcomes visitors to the river walk.

In addition to the river walk, Speculator’s ball field park offers visitors a large picnic pavilion with grills, a gazebo, a playground for young children, riverside put-in for kayaks and canoes, abundant parking, and plenty of open fields for kids to romp and play. Restrooms are available both at the pavilion and across the baseball field at the firehouse. You’ll find another intriguing part of the park, called ROUTE 66, located just beyond the children’s playground. This quaint village in miniature, built by John Van-Buiten and Richard Koert, is comprised of buildings from the 1940s, including an authentically staged church, school, barber shop, general store, post office, gas station, and ice cream shop. The detailed structures were built to commemorate the eight-State honeymoon trip that New Jersey residents John Van-Buiten and his wife, Hester, took along Route 66 in 1948. The Van-Buiten family had been vacationing in Speculator since the 1920s, often tenting at nearby Camp of the Woods. As longtime enthusiasts of the area, the family donated their unique Route 66 village to the community in 2014. Spend a little time window shopping in this charming pintsized village, and you’ll surely feel a fleeting sense of nostalgia for simpler times and bygone eras. The Village of Speculator’s Public Park and Town Beach is located directly across Route 30 from the pavilion park. With its sandy beachfront, public swimming area, benches, picnic tables, flower gardens, and spectacular views of Lake Pleasant, it’s the perfect place to relax and unwind after your hike in the woods. And before you leave town, be sure to check out Speculator’s bustling business district! The village has numerous eateries and ice cream shops, a must-see department store, and a distinctive grocery called Charlie Johns. Part market, part general store, Charlie Johns carries camping and fishing supplies, dishes, hardware, postcards, souvenirs, craft supplies, an amazing selection of Adirondack books for all ages, and just about anything else you might be hoping to find. Without a doubt, a summertime trip to Speculator will leave you eager to return again and again. So, gas up the car, get out your GPS, and head north to celebrate the splendor of summer in the Adirondacks!

For more information, visit www.speculatorchamber.com/

speculator or call 518-548-4521. SS Watch an interview with one of the builders of this charming destination, by the town historian! The most enjoyable 13 minutes you’ll have all day! www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAMCu4t6MZI

…and check out SimplySaratoga.com for even more photos J