It’s Pretty Quiet at The Ann Lee Pond Near Albany Airport [PHOTOS]

I had to go to Latham the other day, when a place I haven’t been to in a long time came to mind. It’s the Ann Lee Pond, near exit 4 of the Northway. Watervliet-Shaker Road used to go past it, until they reconfigured it about eight years ago. That’s probably one of the last times I was there. Even though it’s a stones throw away from Albany International Airport, it’s a fairly quiet and close place to enjoy with friends and family.This could have been one another place that I mentioned in an earlier blog of Albany area day trips.

It used to be a place where you could ice skate in the winter, but that hasn’t happened in many years. It’s a nature preserve, with some trails and a boardwalk bridge that you can hike over or ride a bicycle on. Close to the road, there are benches and picnic tables. It’s part of the Watervliet Shaker National Historic District, site of America’s first Shaker settlement.

A lot if the water looks green, but there’s plenty wild plants and wildlife living there. According to the Appalachian Mountain Club website, there are also some very large snapping turtle that live there. Just a reason to be careful when enjoying this very close to home, beautiful place, in the Colonie, Latham area. Have you ever been there?