The Land Trust acquired 11 acres on Bare Hill—the iconic promontory overlooking Canandaigua Lake’s eastern shore.  The property is located off of North Vine Valley Road in the town of Middlesex, Yates County, in close proximity to New York State’s Bare Hill Unique Area.

Bare Hill is well known in the region for its scenic views as well as its place in Seneca lore.  Legend has it that a mighty serpent encircled an Indian village that once stood there – swallowing residents until it was slain by a brave young boy.  In its death throes, the snake cleared the land and swept the hill bare.

Photo: Nigel Kent

The entirely wooded parcel—which represents the organization’s seventh project in the area—will be conveyed to New York State as an addition to Bare Hill Unique Area when funds become available. The Land Trust hopes to work with the state, and other partners, to construct a hiking trail on nearby conserved lands from the lakeshore to the summit of Bare Hill.

Elsewhere within the Canandaigua Lake watershed, the Land Trust has worked in partnership with Ontario County to establish Grimes Glen County Park, and with the Town of South Bristol to create Carolabarb Park.  The organization has also partnered with the Town of Canandaigua to protect two farms as well as wetlands off Middle Cheshire Road.  Near the south end of Canandaigua Lake, the Land Trust owns and manages hundreds of acres of conservation land and has worked with New York State to conserve Conklin Gully.