CATSKILL – A prospective buyer of the Catskill Game Farm, Nicky’s Garden of Hope LLC, is looking to transform the property into a residential community for adults with autism and mixed housing for seniors and veterans.
In a pre-application conference at the town Planning Board meeting Tuesday, the business owner and project developer spoke with the board’s members to discuss next steps in the process.
Nicky’s Garden of Hope is nonprofit organization that describes itself as a sustainable, net-zero community for adults with disabilities. Its mission is to build sustainable, supportive residential communities for adults with diverse intellectual and physical needs, that give them independent, integrated lives within the community, said organization Chief Sustainability Officer Thomas VanAntwerp.
The proposed 400 Game Farm Road community would be developed in five stages, VanAntwerp said.
“The first stage would include a solar farm,” he said.
The organization has mapped out 22 acres of property for a solar farm, but is likely to use only 15 acres. Each solar panel would produce 5 megawatts and they would be coordinated with Central Hudson.
The second stage would be developing buildings for community service events for both the public, potential residents and rental space at the AirBnB and glamping sites.
Stages three, four and five would include obtaining funding and the development of 400 units of housing, a market and village community with potentially a doctor’s office on site.
VanArtwerp said the ultimate goal is to have individuals with disabilities living on their own while having spaces for their families or caregivers to live close to them, VanAntwerp said. It is also important to create spaces to provide community services, such as cooking classes or educational programs, he added.
“There’s a need for this,” board Chairperson Theresa Golden said.
The property has been on the market since January 2022 and spans 193 acres.
The Catskill Game Farm opened in 1933 as the nation’s first privately owned zoo. The site was home for more than 2,000 animals before closing Oct. 9, 2006, after 73 years in operation.
Ben and Cathy Ballone purchased the property in 2012 and converted the former zoo into the Long Neck Inn in 2019. The property included indoor lodging and luxury outdoor glamping.
The property was then sold to Sidney Blauner in 2020 and was renamed The Old Game Farm.
The site’s hotel includes The Old Catskill Game Farm Estate, a 9,000-square-foot mansion that was renovated from the zoo’s former giraffe house. The structure houses six bedrooms and a chef’s kitchen, and is used as an AirBnB.
The site also offers private, upscale camping options that include access to an outdoor fire pit and grill.
These projects will still be available, VanAntwerp said.
At the pre-application conference, Golden said the next step was to present the idea in front of the Catskill Town Board.