About
The Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center is a Rensselaer County Park designed as a low-use recreational area. Open during daylight hours, the park features over 6 miles of hiking trails and a canoe launch for non-motor boats. There is no swimming, open fires or collecting of any kind.
Welcome to the Friends of Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center Website! “The Friends” is a not-for-profit organization created in 1991 to be a support group for the Center. It is designed to enhance the education, research and appreciation of the natural resoures found at the Center, primarily through sponsoring programs, fundraising and protecting the park and its boundaries.
The Center offers activities and workshops dedicated to environmental education. All programs are open to both adults and children accompanied by their parents.
Group programs are offered to schools, scout troops, lake associations, outdoor clubs or any group with a minimum of six people. Classes include environmental science, current environmental issues and outdoor living skills. The programs give kids an extended outdoor experience.
Dyken Pond is the principal headwaters of the Poesten Kill, and the largest lake on the Rensselaer Plateau. Its historic dam was built in 1902 by Manning Paper Company and regulated the stream flow powering machinery along the Poesten Kill to Troy. 
Manning Paper Company donated its land holdings to Rensselaer County in 1973. Since that time, Rensselaer County has owned and operated this living watershed as an ecological teaching unit as well as a low-use recreation area. As of 2008, there are also 86 acres of private land adjacent to the Center where public access is allowed through conservation easements.
Thirty-three ecological communities are found on the property, ranging from beech-maple forests to spruce-fir swamps and vernal pools. This variety offers visitors an exciting blend of places to explore and enjoy.
Friends of the Dyken Pond Center
475 Dyken Pond Road
Cropseyville, New York 12052
(518) 658-2055
dykenpond@fairpoint.net
