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 Maple Ridge Center's retreat center. Bringing Jobs and Recreation to the North Country
In 2000, the Pratt Northam Foundation Board of Directors purchased the Dr. Kenneth P. Seeber Horse Farm on the East Rd. in Town of Lowville out of mortgage default.
Beginning in the mid-1990’s, Dr. Seeber, a veterinarian specializing in the care of race horses, began building the Maple Ridge Horse Farm on the site of the former Harold and Helen Boshart dairy farm. This absolutely beautiful 180 acre complex overlooking the Black River Valley and the high peaks of the Adirondack Mountains and including the main house, horse paddocks, five-eighths mile trotter track, stables, maple sugar bush, and naturally fed pond was rapidly deteriorating without regular care and maintenance.
So, the Foundation’s Board made the decision to purchase the farm to: 1. Maintain the farm's natural and commercial assets; 2. Return the property to the community as a viable community resource.
The Maple Ridge Committee of the Foundation’s Board of Directors immediately set to work performing two functions: 1. overseeing the maintenance of the facility and 2. soliciting public input for the best use of the 180 acres in perpetuity. After extensive input from village, town, county, and state officials and after a major open house attracting hundreds of people from the interested public offering comments and suggestions, the Maple Ridge Committee recommended three goals for the property which the full Board of Directors supported.
The Foundation’s goals (in order of priority) for the returning the properties for community use are: · Provide a home for the administration and delivery of needed human service programs · Provide a site for family recreation programs · Provide new or maintain old jobs, while returning all or portion of the property to the property tax rolls
For four years, the Maple Ridge Committee maintained the site and pursued its goals. In addition during that time, the committee made the site available for community uses. A Fall Festival of the Arts and a Spring Civil War Re-enactment has become annual events at the site. In May 2001, over 2500 Boy Scouts participated in their Spring Camporee at the site.
The Maple Ridge Committee expanded to a large group of volunteers known as the “red hats”. The red hats provided orientation and information sessions at the complex. And, the red hats went to work reopening the sugar bush gathering trails as hiking and cross country ski trails.
In 2005, the Maple Ridge site is in metamorphosis with three new entities converting sections of the complex bringing the Foundation’s community goals to fruition.
Maple Ridge Center, Inc: Ownership of this 50-acre portion of the property is being transferred to the Adirondack Mennonite Camping Association. Maple Ridge Center is being operated as a community retreat center providing programming “for youth and families, for the community, the church and beyond.” For more information: www.beavercamp.org
Maple Ridge Center viewed from the East Road, Town of Lowville.
The Park at Maple Ridge, Inc: Ownership of this 50+ acre portion of the property is being transferred to the Board of Directors of The Park at Maple Ridge, Inc. This portion of the property includes most of the former horse track, the pond and the maple forest. The cross country skiing and hiking trails are primarily located in this section. Maple Ridge Park is being operated as a community park. The Park Directors have established three goals: 1. Maintain the park as a natural park setting for family and community uses like picnicing, hiking, skiing etc., 2. Develop a public swimming facility on the site, and 3. Develop a small performing arts center on the site. For further information: dhunt4@twcny.rr.com
The Park at Maple Ridge as viewed from the entrance through Maple Ridge Center.
DPAO Respite Home: Ownership of this 2-acre portion of the property (just off NYS Route 26) has been transferred to the Disable Persons Action Organization where they have constructed a new building to provide respite care for clients and their families in Lewis County and to house their Lewis County office. For more information: www.nccsa.com/dpao.htm
Disabled Persons Action Organization's respite home viewed from NYS Rte. 26.
Remaining Parcels: The Maple Ridge Committee continues to work with interested individuals and community organizations making proposals for uses for the remaining parcels within the Maple Ridge Complex. The remaining parcels (72 acres) are located both off from NYS Route 26 and off the East Rd. in the Town of Lowville. The Committee has awarded an easement to the Town of Lowville so it can lay its new water district pipeline directly across the property from west to east. For more information about the remaining parcels email Thomas Yousey  |
