Heart Lake Property Master Plan

Heart Lake Property Master Plan Revision
Implementation Schedule

The 1993 Heart Lake Property Master Plan (HLPMP) listed numerous upgrades to the facilities. In the June 2006 report to the Board of Directors, the steps that have been accomplished thus far were outlined. Among the projects detailed as remaining to be completed were the following:

  • Building a new Visitor Service Facility (VSF) 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

In addition, changes in these projects that are proposed to update the master plan to current conditions included:

  • 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.

The 1993 HLP Master Plan provided a ten-year horizon plan that set forth a conceptual phasing schedule for the projects listed. That plan is attached at the end of this report for your review. To remain consistent in our reporting, we have a created a tentative plan for implementation of the revised Heart Lake Property Master Plan.

2006:

  • Continue negotiations with DEC on lease agreement for building and operation of Visitors Service Facility on ADK property at HLP.
  • DEC to continue preliminary design work and preparation for permitting process.

2007:

  • Agree and sign lease agreement, complete permitting and final design, groundbreaking on VSF.
  • Begin engineering and design on campground expansion and HPIC conversion to camping support building.

2008:

  • VSF completed, begin transfer of functions from HPIC.
  • Begin conversion of HPIC to camping support building.
  • Begin expansion of campground.
  • Design and planning for pavilion for campground and education use.

2009:

  • HPIC conversion completed.
  • Campground expansion completed.
  • Pavilion started and completed.
  • Design and planning for new maintenance facility.
  • Design and planning for conversion of maintenance to offices.
  • Design for expansion of Trails Cabin.
  • Design for Tyler renovation.

2010:

  • Maintenance facility erected.
  • Former maintenance building converted to offices.
  • Trails Cabin expanded.
  • Tyler Cabin converted for rentals.
  • Begin infrastructure planning and design for dedicated Education building.
  • Design and infrastructure planning for two lodging cabins.
  • Design for additional staff housing.

2011:

  • Build and complete one lodging cabin.
  • Build additional staff housing facility.
  • Complete infrastructure planning and design for dedicated Education building.
  • Design for renovation of Manager’s Cabin to volunteer facility.

2012:

  • Build and complete second lodging cabin.
  • Complete conversion of Manager’s Cabin to volunteer facility.
  • Begin construction of Education facility.
  • Design and infrastructure for ADK Inn lodging facility.

2013:

  • Education facility completed.
  • Begin construction of ADK Inn lodging facility.
  • Design of Adirondak Loj conversion to ADK Loj dining facility,

2014:

  • ADK Inn lodging facility completed.
  • Adirondak Loj conversion started.

2015:

  • ADK Loj dining facility completed.

All facility planning and construction will be thoroughly vetted and reviewed and is subject to approval by the ADK Board of Directors.


HLP Master Plan 1993

V. PLAN IMPLEMENTION

A. Horizon Plan and Phasing

ADK’s “Horizon Plan” includes the following key facilities changes at Heart Lake over the 10-year plan period.

  1. New entrance and public facility
    • Relocation of Van Hoevenberg Trail and trailhead
    • New public parking facility (150-car or as required by the HPWA UMP) allocation of day versus overnight spaces to be determined in consultation with DEC on the HPWA UMP.
    • Administration, information center and hiker shelter
    • Entry-control house
  2. Information and education facility
    • Conversion of HPIC facility to education facility
    • Downsize/convert parking lot to serve education purposes
  3. Upgrade meal service facilities
    • Modify kitchen facilities
    • Modify dining facilities
  4. Enhance lodging and camping facilities
    • Add Guest Cabin #1 (15 beds)
    • Add Guest Cabin #2 (15 beds)
    • Replace and relocate Chipmunk Cabin
    • Reduce density of existing campsites
    • Add new campground (change total from 37 to 50 campsites)

The order in which these activities will be conducted cannot be finally determined until completion of the HPWA UMP; however, Table 2 presents a possible phasing schedule. It is emphasized that this is only one of several possibilities and that actual phasing would be dependent on funding and authorization from the Board of Governors.

Table 2:  Conceptual Phasing Schedule

                                                                                                               Plan Year

Plan Stage             Project Facility                           0   -   2   -   4   -   6   -   8   -   10

 

Stage 1         Modify/expand Camping Area             S       F

                    Replace Chipmunk Cabin                   S       F

 

Stage 2         Construct new parking area                        S             F

                    Relocate control house                                          S       F

                    Relocate Van Hoevenberg and other trails        S       F

                    Construct new High Peaks Information Center      S       F

                    Convert existing HPIC to Education Center                S  F

                    Add lodging for Education Program participants

                                  (Guest Cabin #1)                                    S      F

                    Build seven-person seasonal staff cabin             S       F

 

Stage 3         Add new camping area II                                                  S           F

                    Modify Loj kitchen and dining facilities                            S             F

 

Stage 4         Add lodging as needed for new programs (Guest Cabin #2)            S  F

Note:  S = start; F = finish