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Tivoli Lake Preserve

Tivoli Lake Preserve is the largest rural preserve in the City of Albany and also one of the biggest urban parks in the State after Central Park in Manhattan and Albany's Normanskill Farm.

sunset photo with a pond in the foreground on a summer day
Friends of Tivoli Lake Preserve and Farm

About Tivoli Lake Preserve

Located along the north side of Albany—close to the West Hill and Arbor Hill neighborhoods—this 80-acre park is home to many natural attractions and learning opportunities. At the preserve, visitors will experience a variety of different wildflower and animal species, trails for walking and running, and a lake for fishing and observing wildlife. The Patroon Creek, which is approximately 7 miles long, also flows through the preserve.

From Dumping Grounds to a Green-Lover's Oasis

Tivoli Lake Preserve was bought in 1850 by the City of Albany from a Dutch land baron, with the goal of creating a drinking water reservoir for the city. However, by the early 1900s, the reservoir was unneeded, and the preserve became a polluted dumping ground. After a revitalization attempt in 1957, which ended in failure by the 70s, the preserve remained in a state of pollution and decay until the late 90s, when an environmental group persuaded the city to invest in revitalizing the preserve. 

After the group went out of business, a grassroots community effort began to continue these efforts. In 2014, an organization called the Friends of Tivoli Lake was founded to continue this dream, and they have since joined forces with the Tivoli Preserve Community Farm to become the Friends of Tivoli Lake Preserve and Farm, Inc., a not-for-profit corporation focused on conservation, education, and recreation.

The preserve has now become an incredible green space within the City of Albany, and the Friends of Tivoli have focused on ridding the preserve of invasive species, giving the community opportunities to recreate through special events, community farming, and gardening efforts, and offering workshops for individuals and families to learn about the natural world.  

Things to Enjoy

  • Walking
  • Running
  • Biking
  • Bird Watching
  • Fishing

Winter Fun

  • Snowshoeing
  • Cross Country Skiing

Contact: 518-434-2532

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