Neighbors Michelle Kaplan, left, and Christine Goossens in Goossens’ backyard where residents have access to the Great Sacandaga Lake on Monday, Nov. 15, 2021, on Woods Hollow Road in Gloversville, N.Y. An RV park is proposed for this part of the reservoir. Photo by Cindy Schultz
Lane Winney owns 83 acres at the southern end of Great Sacandaga Lake that cross into New York’s Adirondack Park’s invisible Blue Line. The Fulton County woodland with an old mining operation gets logged now and then by the 55-year-old Winney. He takes the pine and other timber to build picnic tables, storage sheds and pavilions, according to the Adirondack Explorer.
The Winney property sits along part of dead-end Woods Hollow Road where residents enjoy the nature and quiet, except for a few bustling nights courtesy of the Lakeside Tavern and Marina at the road’s end. So when Winney proposed building a 300-site destination RV park across from Michelle Kaplan, she and other neighbors felt the rug had been pulled from beneath them.
“We all moved here for a reason,” Kaplan said. “It will change totally.”
The plans are in the early stages, though Winney hopes to have the RV complex running within two years.
But not without a fight. Kaplan and neighbor Christine Goossens hired attorney Claudia Braymer to block the plan. It is currently before the town of Mayfield’s planning board. Goossens and Kaplan, along with other area residents, believe the campground will create more noise, light pollution and traffic problems, and harm the natural environment.
Winney is no stranger to the southern Adirondacks. He and his family own and operate the 130-site Dun Loggin Campground on the eastern side of Great Sacandaga Lake. The family has been in the construction business for about three decades and operates several Subway sandwich shops in the area, too.
Winney’s plans at 3425 Woods Hollow Road include a variety of campsites — 213 for RVs, 32 for “glamping,” 19 for tents and 13 for primitive camping. Winney said he could have proposed a 700-site campground on the property, but he wanted to preserve a rural and “quaint” feel.
Winney wants boat docks, a boat launch, a picnic area and space for an amphitheater. He proposes glamping, tent and primitive campsites in a more wooded area. Winney did not have many details on what the glamping sites would entail. He would like to see his daughter take over the campground once he retires.
“It’s a beautiful site, and I think it’s going to be a real plus for the community,” Winney said. “The lots are a little bit bigger and more spacious, and it’s a little more laid back.”
