In 1973, a 35-acre tract of unused and abandoned cemetery land around the ponds of Cowhorn Creek was sold to the city of Schenectady to form Vale Park.

[4] The Common Council resolved on 2 July 1856[5] to develop the grounds of the old Hospital Farm on Nott Terrace as a 38-acre (150,000 m2) public cemetery.

It featured many winding paths and he had more than 1,000 trees planted; Cowhorn Creek was dammed to create a lake within the grounds.

Fourteen of the lot holders formed the Vale Cemetery Association and bought the 38 acres (150,000 m2) from the Common Council.

[10] The group intends to map all the graves and document them, to establish a full record before there is further damage or deterioration of many of the historic memorials.