Home to Native Americans for centuries, the 840-acre parkland was first visited by Europeans in the early 1600s. The first permanent residence in the area was built by Benjamin Mooers, in 1783.
Prior to its purchase by New York State in 1974 the area served a variety of purposes. From the 1800s into the twentieth century its use was primarily agricultural. Then, during World War I, “Junior Plattsburgh” was established at the site to provide an ROTC type experience for young men.
Later, the land use became recreational, with Camp Theodore Roosevelt, followed by Camps Red Wing & Red Cloud, enabling young people to learn about nature and develop lifelong skills. The camps originally encompassed Long Point and Middle Point, while the beaches became Beekmantown’s St Armand’s Beach.
In an earlier period a Club/Resort also stood near the Park’s shoreline, and, in the late ’50s a commercial theme park, Fantasy Kingdom, opened on present-day Park grounds, entertaining many families.
Visitors walking through the Park can still see several of the earlier buildings and old foundations.
This designated “Wildlife Park” ranging along six miles of Lake Champlain shoreline features open meadows and wooded areas, sand beaches, rocky peninsulas, marshlands, ponds, spectacular geological formations and an array of flora and wildlife habitats.
The Park is laced with trails that are used year-round for nature walks, school programs, hiking, biking and cross-country skiing. The Park’s “day-use” facilities include a boat launch as well as swimming, picnic and recreation areas. The seasonally staffed Nature Interpretative Center offers a variety of programs and exhibits open to the public.