Ashland Town Greene offers natural beauty on the edge of Windham
Often seen as a more rural extension of Windham, Ashland Town Greene is characterized by stunning forested landscapes that have attracted visitors and outdoor enthusiasts to the region for years. “The colors are just changing. I don’t know how bright it’s going to be this year because we’ve had a drought, but right now, we’ve got lots of red and orange. It’s just breathtaking,” says Carol Shaw, a local broker with over 40 years of experience and owner of Shaw Country Realty. Other outdoor activities like hunting and skiing are also a huge draw. “Windham and Ashland are up on the elevation, so it’s perfect for skiing in the wintertime. You’ve probably got a good 8-degree difference from two miles down the mountain,” Shaw says.
Large custom cabins and contemporary homes on multiacre lots
The Ashland area has more space for custom homes with acreage than Windham, and homes are scattered loosely across the community, usually along narrow, winding country roads. Aside from some historic Colonial Revival homes, most properties date to the late 20th and early 21st century, including A-frame cabins and custom contemporary estates with tall windows and large balconies. Generally, prices depend on lot size. Most properties range from $160,000 to $500,000, while properties with 10 acres of land or more can range from $690,000 to $1.1 million. The largest parcels offer space for hunting, landscaping and even small ponds or lakes, so acreage is highly sought after. Still, regardless of size, most residents benefit from a sense of forested seclusion and great views of the surrounding mountains.
Gatherings at Ashland Park and public land for hunting and hiking
Ashland Park is a large community space with a playground, shaded picnic tables and a fenced dog park. The park hosts periodic events and fundraisers, including truck and tractor pulls, car shows and small outdoor concerts. Outdoor sports like hunting and trapping are very popular. Though many homeowners prefer to use their own land, there are also several public forests on the community’s north side. “A lot of it is available for recreation unless you're right next to a house or something,” Shaw says. “They’ll have posted signs up saying where you can and where you can’t, and there are state trails all over the place.” Huntersfield State Forest has hiking trails leading to its namesake mountain’s summit, along with a spur trail that connects to the Ashland Pinnacle State Forest. Both spaces are popular for hunting, trapping and cross-country skiing. Windham Mountain Club, a hugely popular ski resort that drives tourism in the surrounding region, is around 5 miles away.
Wineries, upscale restaurants and more businesses in Windham
Local businesses in Ashland are mainly limited to wineries and event venues like The Vineyard at Windham, which offers a variety of New York wines. Brandywine is the closest restaurant, located between Windham and Ashland Town Greene on state Route 23. A family-owned, fine dining establishment, the restaurant serves upscale Italian cuisine in a rustic venue. Locals drive to downtown Windham for most shopping and dining, including locally owned grocery stores like Main Street Market.
Windham-Ashland-Jewett Central School serves the community
Windham-Ashland-Jewett Central School serves all grade levels and earns a B from Niche. Athletics is a large part of the school’s culture, including well-regarded trap shooting, alpine ski and golf teams. The school also offers advanced courses in engineering and robotics for high school students. Vocational programs like welding and cosmetology are available through the Otsego Northern Catskills Board of Cooperative Educational Services.
Located along state Route 23
Windham is about 5 miles east on state Route 23, while Albany is about 60 miles away. Albany International Airport is about 70 miles away. Columbia Memorial Hospital, the nearest major medical center, is about 35 miles away.
