This Historic Olympic Park A Few Hours From NYC Is Getting A Huge Upgrade — Here’s What’s Changing

From the snowy trails of Lake Placid to the world stage, New York voters have greenlit a new chapter for the iconic Mount Van Hoevenberg Olympic Sports Complex. Voters recently passed a ballot that approves the expansion of the complex, as well as adding thousands of acres to Adirondack forest preserves. In true Olympic fashion it’s a win-win situation. This historic site—home to North America’s first bobsled track and two Winter Olympics—is ready to host the next generation of champions, while safeguarding the wild heart of the mountains. Perched on the site of North America’s first bobsled track , the Mount Van Hoevenberg complex is steeped in history, having hosted the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics . Beyond its Olympic legacy, the site features miles of cross-country skiing trails, luge and skeleton tracks, and athlete housing . This new era of the complex and its surrounding nature is sure to create new eras and memories just like these. Under the amendment, a new stadium can be constructed on the center’s existing biathlon track, while broader developments—like rental cabins, zip lines, and tall buildings—remain off-limits. In exchange, the state has pledged to add 2,500 acres of forest elsewhere in the Adirondacks, balancing growth with conservation . Raul Aguirre, executive director of the nonprofit Adirondack Council, said: > This amendment strengthens accountability for how state agencies manage and protect one of New York’s greatest natural assets, the public lands of the Adirondack Park. ⛷️What to Know * 📍 Location: The complex is located in Lake Placid, roughly 300 miles north of New York City, within the 6-million-acre Adirondack Park * ⛰️Expansion Details: The amendment allows construction of a stadium on the existing biathlon track but prohibits more extensive development like rental cabins, zip lines, or tall buildings * 🌲Environmental Tradeoff: In exchange, the state will add 2,500 acres of forest to other parts of the Adirondacks, though the exact locations have not yet been determined * 📖Historical Significance: Mount Van Hoevenberg is home to North America’s first bobsled track and hosted the Winter Olympics in 1932 and 1980. The site also includes cross-country skiing trails, luge and skeleton tracks, and athlete housing Learn more about the Mount Van Hoevenberg complex on their official website. Source: https://secretnyc.co/adirondacks-olympic-sports-complex-forest-upgrade/