Foresport offers quick access to the outdoors and nearby cities
Situated 26 miles north of Utica , Foresport has long been defined by its natural surroundings. By the late 19th century, the area was home to a booming timber industry, with sawmills dotting the banks of the Black River. Today, the quiet community is known as a gateway to the southwestern Adirondacks, where residents get around on snowmobiles and are never far from recreation. "It's in the foothills, so you get to experience all of the outdoor stuff," says Katarena Lafave, a Realtor with Lawless Real Estate who has five years of selling experience in the region. "It's a great community with lots of local establishments and is a short commute to downtown Utica.”
Outdoor fun includes fishing, hiking and more
There are plenty of ways to spend time outdoors in and around Forestport. The town’s namesake dam, which feeds the Black River, is a frequented spot for picnics and rock hopping. A public boat launch sits along the same road, providing public access to Foreston Reservoir. “A lot of people in the area like fishing,” Lafave says. She also mentions hunting as a popular hobby. “People will go on private land or public forests to hunt.” Black River Forest neighbors to the northeast, with several ponds and lakes for freshwater fishing, and hunting is allowed during the state's specified seasons. The forest also has miles of wooded hiking trails that transition into snowmobile and cross-country skiing routes throughout winter. Dutch Hill Ball Field offers a playground and baseball diamond, which hosts youth practices and games. Alder Creek Golf Course and Country Inn features a nine-hole course open to the public.
The housing market blends privacy, nature and lakefront living
Housing in Forestport ranges from early 19th-century Victorian and National Folk homes along streets in the town’s center to 20th—and 21st-century ranch and cabin styles that fill the remainder. Most properties sit within small clearings framed by thick forest, providing additional privacy to the already secluded setting. Several residential lakes also dot the community, where waterfront homes feature private docks, and subdivisions offer amenities like community beaches and docks. The median sales price is roughly $330,000, higher than Utica's median of $200,000. However, smaller homes in need of repair start around $100,000, and larger waterfront houses can sell for $800,000. The town’s CAP Index Crime Score is a 1 out of 10, below the national average of 4.
Residents dine locally and shop retail in nearby cities
Forestport Diner is one of several independently owned restaurants in the area. Situated off a snowmobile trail, the laid-back spot is a favorite for breakfast and is known for its housemade donuts. Wigwam is a cabin-style bar that serves typical pub grub and is easy to spot thanks to a model plane tail that sticks out from its roof. Bonnie's Country Store is the local grab-all store, selling premade meals, baked goods and daily essentials. Booneville, 8 miles northwest, has a Top's Friendly Market for groceries and Dollar General. According to Lafave, most residents make the 26-mile trip south into Utica and adjoining New Hartford to shop at Walmart Supercenter and several other big-box stores. The latter is also home to Sangertown Square, an indoor mall with 70-plus stores.
Adirondack High School offers dual credit opportunities
Adirondack Central School District serves the community and earns a C from Niche. Boonville Elementary School and Adirondack Middle School both earn C-plus ratings. Adirondack High School scores a B-minus and partners with Mohawk Valley Community College, allowing students to enroll in a variety of dual credit courses.
Seaonal events bring the community together
Old Forestport Days is a longstanding summer tradition. Festivities of the late August event include a car cruise-in, community barbecue and beer garden and a wide range of activities, from cook-offs to cornhole tournaments. The Annual Christmas Light Up Parade kicks off the holiday season in late November, when locals deck their cars, wagons, wheelbarrows with lights and roll through town. The parade finishes at Memorial Park, where Santa pays a visit, and crowds gather to watch the lighting of the community tree.
State routes connect Forestport to the greater region
State Route 28 passes through the community and is one of the area’s main throughways. State Route 12 is also easily accessible and runs south into New Hartford and Utica, where Wynn Hospital is located. Syracuse is a 70-mile trip in the same direction, where the nearest commercial flights take off from Syracuse Hancock International Airport. Albany is roughly 110 miles southeast.
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Written By
Matthew Simmons
