Editing Clifton Park, New York

{{distinguish|Clifton Springs, New York}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
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<!-- Basic info  ---------------->
 | name                     = Clifton Park
 | official_name            = Town of Clifton Park
 | native_name              = {{native name|moh|Shenendehowa}}
 | nickname                 = 
 | settlement_type          = [[Administrative divisions of New York#Town|Town]]
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 | motto                    = 
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 | imagesize                = 220
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 | image_caption            = The town's rest area on [[Interstate 87 (New York)|I-87]]
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 | mapsize                  = 250x200px
 | map_alt                  = 
 | map_caption              = Location within Saratoga County
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 | pushpin_map_caption      = Location within the state of New York
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<!-- Location ------------------>
 | subdivision_type         = Country
 | subdivision_name         = United States
 | subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
 | subdivision_name1        = [[New York (state)|New York]]
 | subdivision_type2        = [[Administrative divisions of New York#County|County]]
 | subdivision_name2        = [[Saratoga County, New York|Saratoga]]
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 | established_title        = <!-- Settled -->
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<!-- Area    --------------------->
 | area_magnitude           = 
 | unit_pref                = Imperial
 | area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2016">{{cite web|title=2016 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2016_Gazetteer/2016_gaz_place_36.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 5, 2017}}</ref>
 | area_total_km2           = 130.03
 | area_land_km2            = 124.84
 | area_water_km2           = 5.19
 | area_total_sq_mi         = 50.21
 | area_land_sq_mi          = 48.20
 | area_water_sq_mi         = 2.00
 | area_water_percent       = 
<!-- Elevation -------------------------->
 | elevation_footnotes      = <!--for references: use <ref> tags-->
 | elevation_m              = 97
 | elevation_ft             = 318
<!-- Population   ----------------------->
 | population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
 | population_footnotes     = <ref name="U.S. Census 2020">U.S. Census, 2020, 'Clifton Park town, Saratoga County, New York'</ref>
 | population_note          = 
 | population_total         = 38029
 | population_est           = 
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<!-- General information  --------------->
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 | utc_offset1              = -5
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 | utc_offset1_DST          = -4
 | coordinates              = {{coord|42|52|N|73|49|W|region:US-NY|display=inline,title}}
 | postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
 | postal_code              = 12065
 | area_code                = [[Area code 518|518]]
 | area_code_type           = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
 | blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
 | blank_info               = 36-16353
 | blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
 | blank1_info              = 0978839
 | website                  = {{URL|www.cliftonpark.org}}
 | footnotes                = 
 | pop_est_footnotes        = <ref name="USCensusEst2016">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.2016.html|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates|access-date=June 9, 2017}}</ref>
 | population_density_sq_mi = 762.52
 | population_density_km2   = 294.41
}}

'''Clifton Park''' is a suburban [[Administrative divisions of New York#Town|town]] in [[Saratoga County, New York]], United States. It is the largest municipality in the county, with a 2020 population of 38,029, according to the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]]. As such, it is the largest municipality in New York state east of Syracuse and north of [[Schenectady]]. The town's name is derived from an early land patent.<ref name="history">Bits and Pieces of Saratoga County History by Richard Dorrough, Ballston Journal</ref> The town is in the southern part of Saratoga County, approximately {{convert|12|mi|km}} north of [[Albany, New York|Albany]], {{convert|7|mi|km}} northeast of Schenectady, and {{convert|10|mi|km}} south of [[Saratoga Springs, New York|Saratoga Springs]].

==History==
The Indigenous [[Mohawk people|Mohawk]]s and [[Mohicans]] referred to the area as ''Canastigione'', meaning corn flats.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cphlibrarylocalhistory.omeka.net/exhibits/show/a-brief-history-of-our-towns/a-brief-history-of-our-towns |title=A Brief History Of Our Two Towns |website=Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cliftonpark.com/about/history/ |title=History Of Clifton Park |website=CliftonPark.com}}</ref> The first settlements in what is now Clifton Park were established in the 17th century.<ref name="book" /> The town or area was named in 1707 by Nanning Harmansen.<ref name=":0" /> At that time, Nanning Harmansen sent letters to [[Lord Cornbury]] requesting letters of Patent for Land he bought from the Indigenous Americans.<ref>{{cite web |date=April 17, 2020 |url=https://www.newyorkalmanack.com/2020/04/how-clifton-park-got-its-name/ |title=How Clifton Park Got {{as written|I|t's [sic]}} Name |website=New York Almanack}}</ref><ref name=":0">"Bits and Pieces of Saratoga County History" by Richard Dorrough published in the ''Ballston Journal''.{{full citation needed|date=January 2021}}</ref> He also stated in this correspondence that he wanted the patent to be known by "Your name of Cliftons Park", and the patent was named the Clifton Park Patent. The [[Iroquois language|Iroqouis]] name for the Clifton Park Patent was '''Shenendehowa'''<ref name="Scherer1996">{{cite book|author=John L. Scherer|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jSxZTDL8blIC&pg=PT166|title=Clifton Park|date=November 1, 1996|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|isbn=978-1-4396-1982-7|pages=166–}}</ref> (meaning "Great Plains")<ref>{{Cite web|title=History of Logos|url=https://www.shenet.org/about-us/historical-information-2/history-of-logos/|access-date=January 6, 2021|website=Shenendehowa Central Schools|language=en-US}}</ref> which is where [[Shenendehowa Central School District|the school district]] gets its name.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Historical Information|url=https://www.shenet.org/about-us/historical-information-2/|access-date=January 6, 2021|website=Shenendehowa Central Schools|language=en-US}}</ref>

The area along the [[Mohawk River]] was popular for ferries across the waterbed, with Eldert Vischer opening the crossing known as [[Vischer Ferry, New York|Vischer Ferry]] in 1783. To the northwest, Edward Rexford established [[Rexford, New York|Rexford Flats]], a small community on the riverbank at the northern end of what became [[New York State Route 146B|NY 146B]].<ref name="book" />

In 1828, the town of Clifton Park was created as "Clifton" from the town of [[Halfmoon, New York|Halfmoon]], but was renamed Clifton Park a year later.<ref name="book">{{cite book|year=1899|title=A Descriptive and Biographical Record of Saratoga County, New York|author=The Saratogian|publisher=The Boston History Publishers Company}}</ref> It was the last town created in [[Saratoga County, New York|Saratoga County]]. The town originally consisted of farmland with a small village of homes, churches and businesses on what is now [[U.S. Route 9 in New York|U.S. Route 9]], but saw a large demographic change when [[Interstate 87 (New York)|Interstate 87]] was built through the town in 1961.<ref name="1961map">{{cite map |title = New York and Metropolitan New York |author1 = Sunoco |author-link = Sunoco |author2 = H.M. Gousha Company |author2-link = H.M. Gousha Company |year = 1961 |edition = 1961–62 |publisher = Sunoco }}{{full citation needed|date=August 2015}}</ref>

The [[Grooms Tavern Complex]] was listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 2000.<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2009a}}</ref> The [[Mohawk Valley Grange Hall]] was added in 2012.

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|50.2|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|48.6|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{convert|1.6|sqmi|km2}}  (3.29%) is water.

The town's southern boundary is defined by the [[Mohawk River]] and is the border between Saratoga County and [[Schenectady County, New York|Schenectady]] and [[Albany County, New York|Albany counties]].

[[Interstate 87 (New York)|Interstate 87]] (the "Adirondack Northway") and [[U.S. Route 9 in New York|U.S. Route 9]] pass through the eastern part of the town. [[New York State Route 146]] is an east–west highway through most of the center of Clifton Park until it takes a 90 degree turn southward, passing east of the hamlet of Rexford and then crossing the Rexford bridge into the Town of [[Niskayuna, New York|Niskayuna]] in Schenectady County.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1830= 2494
|1840= 2719
|1850= 2868
|1860= 2804
|1870= 2657
|1880= 2454
|1890= 2228
|1900= 2140
|1910= 2225
|1920= 1983
|1930= 2222
|1940= 2253
|1950= 3281
|1960= 4512
|1970= 14867
|1980= 23989
|1990= 30117
|2000= 32995
|2010= 36705
|2020= 38029
|estyear= 
|estimate= 
|estref= 
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="U.S. Census 2020">U.S. Census, 2020, 'Clifton Park town, Saratoga County, New York'</ref>
}}
As of the census<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2008, there were over 37,707 people, 13,782 households, and 10,077 families residing in the town. There were 14,262 housing units. The racial makeup of the town was 92.2% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 2.0% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.02% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 3.4% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.02% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.36% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.6% from two or more races.

There were 13,782 households, out of which 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.8% were married couples living together, 6.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.9% were non-families. 21.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.23.

In the town, the age distribution of the population shows 27% under the age of 20, 5.5% from 20 to 24, 15.9% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.2 years. For 18 and older, there were 49.2% males and 50.8% females.

The median income for a household in the town was $82,850, and the median income for a family was $98,275. Males had a median income of $68,417 versus $46,948 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $37,405. About 1.4% of families and 2.9% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 2.9% of those under age 18 and 2.8% of those age 65 or over.

==Recreation==
There are many opportunities for youth involvement in typical sports teams such as football, baseball, softball, lacrosse, soccer, basketball, wrestling and hockey. Adults may participate as well. Every year Clifton Park Soccer Club hosts an international tournament called the Rose and Kiernan/Clifton Park Soccer International Soccer Classic.

Clifton Park also periodically hosts the Babe Ruth World Series for boys baseball. There are also other annual events, such as Winterfest.

Clifton Common which is located on Vischer Ferry Rd. is a central hub for recreation which features baseball/softball fields, soccer fields, outdoor basketball courts, two NHL-size ice rinks, playgrounds, and an outdoor stage for performing arts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cliftonpark.com/hot-spots/clifton-commons|title=Explore Recreation & Entertainment at Clifton Common in Clifton Park}}</ref>

The [[Vischer Ferry Nature and Historic Preserve]], a 740-acre site in southern Clifton Park adjacent to the [[Mohawk River]], features a network of walking trails alongside an original section of the [[Erie Canal]] and towpath.

==Schools==
The public school district covering most (the eastern two-thirds) of Clifton Park is the [[Shenendehowa Central School District]], located on NY Route 146. In addition, the [[Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Central School District]] and the [[Niskayuna Central School District]] cover the northwest and southwest corners of Clifton Park respectively.

The main campus of Shenendehowa Central Schools covers about {{convert|232|acre|km2}} of property along the south side of NY Route 146. With a student body of over 9,800 students in eight elementary schools, three middle schools, and two high schools, Shenendehowa Central Schools is one of the largest school districts in New York State. Shenendehowa Central Schools' achievements include twenty-two New York State Championship titles for their Men's Soccer team as well as two National Championships. Their Cross Country team has won six NYS Federation Men's Cross Country Championships.{{citation needed|date=April 2019}}

Shenendehowa schools:

Elementary schools:
Karigon and Orenda (connected), Tesago and Skano (connected), Okte, Chango, Arongen, and the newest addition, Shatekon

Middle schools (all connected): Gowana, Acadia, Koda

High schools: High School West (9th grade only) and High School East (10-12 grades only)

Although there are two different high schools, they are allowed to participate in the same clubs and events (with few exceptions, such as dances and activities during school hours.)

==Communities and locations in Clifton Park==
*[[Ballston, New York|Ballston Lake]] &ndash; A [[Town (New York)|town]] in the northwestern part of Clifton Park, located at the south end of a lake named [[Ballston Lake]].<ref name="round lake quad">{{cite map |url=http://gis.ny.gov/gisdata/quads/drg24/dotpreview/index.cfm?code=q48 |title=Round Lake Digital Raster Quadrangle |publisher=New York State Department of Transportation |year=1991 |scale=1:24,000 |access-date=January 21, 2010}}</ref>
*[[Clifton Gardens, New York|Clifton Gardens]] &ndash; A neighborhood and [[census-designated place]] in the eastern part of the town.
*[[Clifton Knolls-Mill Creek, New York|Clifton Knolls-Mill Creek]] &ndash; A neighborhood and census-designated place southeast of the center of town.
*Clifton Park Center &ndash; A hamlet in the vicinity of town hall.<ref name="niskayuna quad">{{cite map |url=http://gis.ny.gov/gisdata/quads/drg24/dotpreview/index.cfm?code=r48 |title=Niskayuna Digital Raster Quadrangle |publisher=New York State Department of Transportation |year=1992 |scale=1:24,000 |access-date=January 21, 2010}}</ref> The [[Clifton Park Center Baptist Church and Cemetery]] was listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 2004.<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2009a}}</ref>
*Colonie Reservoir &ndash; A [[Reservoir (water)|reservoir]] in the southern section of the town.<ref name="niskayuna quad"/>
*[[Country Knolls, New York|Country Knolls]] &ndash; A hamlet and [[census-designated place]] on the town's northern border, near Round Lake.<ref name="round lake quad"/>
*Elnora &ndash; A hamlet north of Clifton Park Center hamlet on [[New York State Route 146A|NY 146A]].<ref name="round lake quad"/>  The [[Smith's Grain and Feed Store]] was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2012.<ref name="nps">{{cite web|url=http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/listings/20120518.htm|title=National Register of Historic Places Listings|date=May 18, 2012|work=Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 5/07/12 through 5/11/12 |publisher=National Park Service}}</ref>
*Flagler Corners &ndash; A hamlet east of Clifton Park Center.<ref name="niskayuna quad"/>
*Grooms Corners &ndash; A hamlet in the southwestern part of the town on County Road 91.<ref name="niskayuna quad"/> The [[Grooms Tavern Complex]] and [[Mohawk Valley Grange Hall]] are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.<ref name="nris"/><ref name="nps1">{{cite web|url=http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/listings/20120413.htm|title=National Register of Historic Places Listings|date=April 13, 2012|work=Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 4/02/12 through 4/06/12 |publisher=National Park Service}}</ref>
*[[Jonesville, New York|Jonesville]] &ndash; A hamlet north of Elnora on County Road 82.<ref name="round lake quad"/>
*[[Rexford, New York|Rexford]] &ndash; A hamlet near the western town line and the Mohawk River.<ref name="schenectady quad">{{cite map |url=http://gis.ny.gov/gisdata/quads/drg24/dotpreview/index.cfm?code=r47 |title=Schenectady Digital Raster Quadrangle |publisher=New York State Department of Transportation |year=1993 |scale=1:24,000 |access-date=January 21, 2010}}</ref>
*[[Round Lake (village), New York|Round Lake]] &ndash; A lake, the southern part of which is in the northeastern corner of the town.<ref name="round lake quad"/>
*Ushers &ndash; A location south of Round Lake on the Clifton Park-[[Halfmoon, New York|Halfmoon]] border.<ref name="round lake quad"/>
*[[Vischer Ferry, New York|Vischer Ferry]] &ndash; A hamlet on County Road 92, located near the Mohawk River in the southern section of Clifton Park.<ref name="niskayuna quad" />

==Notable people==
* [[Emma Lee Benedict]] (1857-1937), editor, educator, author
* [[Juergen Hahn]], engineering professor.
* [[Kevin Huerter]], NBA Player.
* [[Keith Raniere]], cult leader.
* [[Reid Scott (actor)|Reid Scott]], actor.<ref>https://wnyt.com/top-stories/clifton-park-native-back-for-season-24-of-law-order-on-newschannel-13/</ref>
* [[Ian Anderson (baseball)|Ian Anderson]], MLB pitcher.<ref>https://www.mlb.com/player/ian-anderson-666120</ref>

==See also==
{{portal|New York (state)}}
* [[Shenendehowa United Methodist Church]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Clifton Park, New York|Clifton Park, NY}}{{wikivoyage|Clifton Park}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20091211235213/http://www.cliftonpark.org/townhall/index.asp Clifton Park Town Hall]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20061230085454/http://www.saratoga.org/relocation/towns/twclift.htm Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://history.rays-place.com/ny/clifton-park-ny.htm Early history of Clifton Park]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071014044305/http://southernsaratoga.com/ The Chamber of Southern Saratoga County]

{{Saratoga County, New York}}
{{Capital District}}
{{Hudson River}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Towns in Saratoga County, New York]]
[[Category:Towns in New York (state)]]
[[Category:1707 establishments in the Province of New York]]