Heart Lake Property Master Plan

1993 Heart Lake Property Master Plan Accomplishments


Since the Heart Lake Property Master Plan was approved in 1993 there have been numerous items that were implemented and/or completed. The Master Plan was required by the APA as part of the permitting process to build the Weizel Trails Cabin.

Under Section IV. Heart Lake Property Master Plan, specific recommendations for the property were presented. Highlights of what is permitted in the Master Plan are listed as follows. Items in italics indicate parts that have been completed or implemented. The headings are from the Master Plan itself.

Protection and Enhancement of Natural Resources
“New and expanded facilities will only be constructed on the property when they are essential to meet the conservation, education, and recreation goals and purposes of ADK and this Master Plan”,
“All development, except for lean-tos and campsites, will be confined to an Active Use Zone”,
“Only limited tree cutting will be allowed, Only sufficient firewood for on site needs will be cut by the Club”

Accommodations
“Provide for a total of 96 guest beds on the property”,
“Provide for staff housing to be located in a service cluster north of the Loj building”,
“No expansion of overnight accommodations within the existing Loj building is proposed”,
“The present Loj kitchen is capable of preparing food for some additional guests and the Loj sanitary sewage disposal system can accommodate additional flows and therefore neither need any immediate expansion”,
“Relocate selected campsites that are less private. Consider expansion of up to 13 additional campsites”,
“Consider holding certain education programs and activities during weekdays in order to reduce weekend demand for Lodging”,

Day Use Facilities
“Continue to provide public recreational day use access to Mt Jo. Provide 20 kilometers of on site ski trails and four more nature trails, including a handicap-accessible trail for the public”

Public Trailheads
“Continue to cooperate with DEC in management of the public trailheads on the property. Continue to support Forest Rangers in search and rescue operations. Continue to provide information to the hiking public”
“Relocate the public parking area to the north, and construct a new High Peaks Information Center”,

Circulation
“Improve circulation by relocating the parking lot”

Utilities and Infrastructure
“Implement a public recycling program at the parking lot”,
“Bury overhead utility lines”

Information Services
“The Club will cooperate with the DEC in providing information to disperse and manage hikers in the HPWA”

Education Services
“Continue current diversity and level of Education/Natural History workshops and lectures”,
Convert HPIC into an Education Center”,
“Construct a handicap-accessible nature trail on the property”,
“Enhance outreach, bringing groups of all ages to Heart Lake for educational purposes”,
“Continue to operate the Nature Museum at its present site”

Land Stewardship
“Continue to field professional Trail crews to maintain and rebuild foot trails throughout the forest preserve. On property, provide housing and support for trail crews, maintain trails on property as examples of proper design and maintenance”,
“Continue to aid the Summit Stewards program…. Use facilities and resources at Heart Lake to support the Stewards”,
“Provide a location for tent platforms for DEC Assistant Forest Rangers”
“Continue to provide parking for rangers and a base for search and rescue activities”,
“Continue to pursue programs of recycling and energy conservation…. Continue to use the property as a role model for appropriate low-impact use of private backcountry lands.”

The larger accomplishments completed as part of the Master Plan include:

  • The building of the manager’s/staff cabin
  • The construction of the Marge Tierney Universal Access Trail
  • The relocation of some selected campsites
  • The set up of the Canvas Cabin tents
  • Expanded volunteer opportunities
  • Implementation of the Campground Host Program

A structural study was done to the Loj in July 2000 and there were four major deficiencies that were identified: 1) installation of a supporting kingpost, 2) beefing up structural support for floor joist in the basement, 3) fixing the sill plate along the kitchen wall to the corner of the dinning room and the great room, 4) looking into the structural soundness of putting on a new roof to the Loj. All the deficiencies have been addressed and the Loj is structurally sound. With continued proper maintenance and upkeep both structurally and mechanically the Loj should last for a long time.

 

Mechanical improvements made to the Loj include:

  • New well
  • New sewer line
  • New electrical panels
  • New carpeting
  • New furnace
  • New water system
  • New kitchen coolers
  • New kitchen stove/range/oven and fire suppression system

Other improvements have also been made to the Loj to upgrade visual appearance, customer amenities, and provide greater comfort for the guests. In the fall of 2005, the 18-person bunkroom was transformed into a 12-person loft with new comfortable single beds. The downstairs bunkrooms have a safer ladder/stair to get to the top bunk and a new safety top rail system. The four private rooms have been remodeled and have better insulation, lighting, flooring and bedding. There are new entrance doors on the Loj that brings you into a remodeled front desk area with a more rustic feel to it. Furniture has been repaired, the floor has been refinished, and the walls stained and trim outlined in green. New pictures are in place. Windows are being replaced as needed in the building.

This not to say that there are not shortcomings with the Loj. The men’s and ladies room are in need of major work. New sub-flooring and finish flooring is needed. Shower stalls will need to be replaced soon, too. A new floor in the great room will be needed in another ten years. The dining room could be expanded and kitchen facilities will need upgrading. Functionally the Loj is a mix of accommodations that tries to suit a variety of needs and guest preferences. The loft offers a comfortable bed at a reasonable price. Private rooms are always in demand but guests would prefer private baths. The smaller family bunkrooms serve families and small groups that want to stay together.

The major projects outlined in the current master plan that remain to be done yet are:

  • Building a new Visitor Service Facility to replace the current High Peaks Information Center (HPIC)
  • Expansion of the Campground offering new campsites and lean-tos
  • A new washhouse to support the expanded camping area
  • Building a dedicated education building
  • Construction of small lodging buildings

The changes in these projects that we would propose to update the master plan to today’s realities include:

  • Writing the master plan from the standpoint of the direct impact the Heart Lake Program Center can have on the public and guests rather than from its impact on the High Peaks Wilderness Area (HPWA).
  • Partnering with DEC to create a joint Visitor Service Facility to replace the High Peaks Information Center, allowing DEC to shoulder some of the burden of hosting the thousands of visitors to the HPWA, as well as assist in financing of the facility.
  • Expansion of the Wilderness Campground beyond the original 13 sites proposed as a means of decreasing pressure on the backcountry and providing an introductory outdoor recreational experience.
  • Possibly turning the current HPIC into a campground support facility with expanded washhouse capabilities, recycling, and food clean up and storage areas, with an attached pavilion to expand program opportunities.
  • Building a new dedicated Education building that will meet the needs of the future programming of ADK, rather than retrofitting the current HPIC.
  • Constructing two group camp type facilities, possibly an eight person and a twelve person, to enhance outreach and chapter opportunities.
  • Creating another lodging structure with six to eight private rooms with baths and a small common area to meet demand for that type of accommodation offering.
  • Changes will continue on the Adirondak Loj and the number of beds there will likely decrease over time. Some options for expanded dining areas will be explored.

While the Heart Lake Property has an APA approved master plan so to does the Johns Brook Lodge Property (JBL) have its own property master plan. Aside from differences because of the physical location of the property, the main message and format runs similar to the Heart Lake Property Master Plan.

Accomplishments at the John’s Brook Lodge Property (JBL) include:

  • Six-person Grace Camp relocated and remodeled
  • Twelve-person Camp O’Brien was constructed to replace Winter Camp
  • The Henry Young staff cabin upgraded
  • A new bridge over Johns Brook was built (three separate times)
  • An information kiosk was constructed
  • The foundation to JBL has been stabilized
  • New siding was put on JBL
  • The water system was improved and chlorination disinfection provided
  • Two new additions have been built with new restrooms
  • The roof on JBL has been replaced with a metal roof
  • The fire suppression system over the stove has been upgraded

We continue to make improvements to both properties as finances, volunteer labor, and expertise allow within the outline of the Master Plans. We have not stood still but challenges still remain for the work that yet needs to be done. The biggest challenge is securing the funding needed to move the remaining projects forward. We will be coming to you in the near future with more detailed plans and hope that your support will help make this revised vision for Heart Lake Property and Johns Brook Lodge a reality.

Respectfully submitted,
Thomas Andrews, Heart Lake Property Committee Chair
John Million, Deputy Executive Director
June 24, 2006