Forest Park began with when the owner of the trolleys running from Schenectady to Saratoga Springs, the Schenectady Railway Company, decided to create a place of amusement – a trolley park – to boost ridership, especially on weekends.
“A trolley ride from Schenectady to Ballston Lake cost about $1.40 or less in the early days of the twentieth century and only took about an hour. This was the fastest way for people to get to Ballston Lake and the people of Schenectady were anxious to get there,” says Ballston Town Historian Rick Reynolds.
“The Railway Company, feeding on the desire of people at the time to pursue leisure time activities, built Forest Park. A sign on the current-day bike path which sits in the path of the former trolley tracks rightly tell what it offered:
‘Forest Park, which was opened in 1904 by the Schenectady Railroad [sic] Company. Cottage or camp life, restful recreation, good boating and fishing, Sunday concerts, picnic grounds, dance pavilion, merry-go-round and a good room at the Inn.’ ”
June 2, 2026 Event
The Burnt Hills Ballston Lake Rotary Club will be sponsoring a free walking tour of the former Forest Park Amusement Park, on Tuesday, June 2, 2026 at 5 pm, led by Town of Ballston Historian Rick Reynolds.
Reynolds’ tour of Forest Park will include the layout of the park including some structures that still exist today.
This is a walking tour (approximately 1 mile total, 1 ½ hours time) on mostly level ground and takes place in wooded areas some of the time.
It is advisable to wear comfortable clothing, good walking shoes or sneakers, and protect against ticks. No bathroom facilities are available.
Contact Susan Stec at danstec@earthlink.net by May 26th for reservations.
The tour will meet at 62 Westside Drive, Ballston Lake, off Main Street, next to the now closed Carney’s Tavern. Parking will be along Westside Drive and signs will be posted.
Illustrations, from above: the Forest Park Carousel; a map of trolley lines at the time; and ‘Comanche’ tour boat on Ballston Lake.
Read more about Saratoga County history.
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