On July 15, 2014 SMHT acquired a donated conservation easement on 26.5 acres of mostly wooded land in the Town of Madison about 2 miles north of the Village of Hamilton, NY.  The owners are preserving a property with a beautiful stream and waterfall, stands of hemlock and spruce and a border with the historic Madison Feeder of the Chenango Canal.  A trail along the feeder connects to the Gateway Reserve of SMHT and will be part of a string of protected lands along the feeder canal. The Madison Feeder Trail and an overview of the relationship of this property to the SMHT Gateway Reserve and to other properties in the local area is shown in this annotated aerial view

The conservation easement allows for public access to trails to be developed on the property, but no other development.  Other than border signage and accessories typical of a trail system, no development will be permitted.  Hunting privileges will be determined by the owner, which might necessitate closing the property to the public during hunting seasons.  The survey conservation area is shown below.   History of the property.