The Capital Region has quite a few hidden outdoor gems, some more hidden than others. Case in point: Mohawk River State Park.

Head to the end of Whitmyer Drive in Niskayuna and you'll find a small parking area and a trail leading into the woods. There's a dilapidated wooden sign here with a plank bearing the faded words "Nature Preserve."

Another wooden plank used to sit above this one, reading "Schenectady Museum." But in April 2006, the state of New York purchased the 107 acres in Niskayuna for $1 million and the Schenectady Museum Nature Preserve became Mohawk River State Park.

Didn't know there was a state park in Schenectady County? Who could blame you — there's not a single sign at any of the park's entrances, and no signs on nearby Rosendale and River roads announcing its presence to drivers. It's largely invisible online, too. The state parks website doesn't list the site among other state parks, and almost all the Google references that appear are from trip announcements and trip reports posted by local users like hiking clubs.

The park features a network of woodsy hiking trails, with a pretty stream and some nice views of the nearby river. It's the perfect spot for an afternoon walk when you don't want to venture far from home.

Six years ago, then-Gov. George Pataki talked about adding picnic tables and educational kiosks when the state bought the land. Dan Keefe, deputy public information officer at state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, says the state now has no plans to make any improvements at the park.

Keefe says that while many of the state's most popular parks have amenities such as beaches, covered picnic areas and athletic fields, there are also parks where the land is "kept in its natural state for a different kind of park experience."

"We believe that many people enjoy Mohawk River as a quiet, open space park for walking, hiking and nature observation," Keefe says. "Our plan is to simply preserve it the way it is — as an undeveloped park suitable for passive recreation."

Though the state hasn't done much with the park since purchasing it, a local group of volunteers has faithfully maintained the trails that criss-cross the land.

Friends of Niskayuna Trails (FONT) has also been working with the town of Niskayuna to create a network of trails on about 100 acres of adjoining town land. It's called the John F. Brown Trail System in honor of local trails advocate and Niskayuna resident John Brown, who passed away earlier this year.

Volunteer Joe Pliss has been involved with the effort for about 18 months. In all, Pliss says the area — a patchwork of town and state land and easement land under power lines — encompasses about 350 acres.

For those who want to explore a little further, the Liska Kill Nature Preserve, owned by the Nature Conservancy, is on the other side of Rosendale Road. River Road Park, a town park, lies almost directly across River Road from the state park.

"You could make a day of it between all those areas," says Pliss.

In addition to creating the new trail system, and establishing "grand entrances" at Blatnick Park, the volunteers have cleared up herd trails that meandered along the Mohawk River and created two trail loops to provide better access to the water.

Pliss says the work so far has been a "zero-dollar effort." After the trail development work winds up, the group may turn its attention to things that cost money, like bridge replacement or signage outside the park area.

"That takes a few people that are willing to manage activities," Pliss says. "We're not quite there yet."

In an effort to draw more community involvement, the group established a Facebook site over the summer and began work on several public service announcements to publicize the trails at the park and on nearby lands.

Though it's largely unknown outside the local community, the park and nearby trails are well worth a visit.

"Considering that it's next to a populated area, it's amazingly easy to get to and a beautiful place," Pliss says. "We're very busy and disconnected from nature. Places like this are going to be increasingly valued."

gscott@timesunion.com • 518-454-5532 • http://blog.timesunion.com/outdoors