The words "legacy" and "hero" are commonly heard during Induction Weekends, variously applied to the current honorees and their accomplishments in baseball.

The definition of "legacy" is a bequest, an inheritance. A hero is defined as a man who is admired for his noble deeds.

Amid this year's Induction festivities was a slightly smaller ceremony held in an open field on Saturday afternoon. It had no connection to baseball, but "legacy" and "hero" were exceptionally fitting.

The legacy, in this case, is 1036 acres of Otsego County land that is now New York's newest state park. The hero, and the park's namesake, is Robert V. Riddell.

It was Mr. Riddell's wish that his land, near the juncture of Interstate 88 and Route 28, remain undeveloped and available to all for low impact recreation, trout fishing in Schenevus Creek and general enjoyment. He left his acreage in the capable stewardship of this daughter Patricia Riddell Kent and her husband, Steven Kent. Through their diligence and generosity, and with the efforts of State Senator James Seward, Mr. Riddell's wishes were brought to fruition.

One thousand prime acres of land, near the juncture of Route 28 and Interstate 88. Land that might have gone to warehouses, industrial parks or big box shopping areas will now and forever remain as Mr. Riddell knew it - green, clean, nurturing and inspiring. What a beautiful welcome from exit 17.

And wait - it gets better. The state has also purchased 1,130 acres that will become the General Jacob Morris State Forest, near the town of Morris, and a 392 acre parcel near Plainfield. That's over 2500 acres of open space preserved for the benefit of Otsego County.

Preservation of open space is a bipartisan goal that Governor Pataki, Senator Jim Seward and Assemblyman Marc Butler, who represents the Maryland area where the Riddell Park is located, have all made a priority. They deserve our thanks and a bookmark for future elections.

Just as there is more to the baseball than homeruns, there is more to land value than just the price it can garner per acre. Robert V. Riddell knew that. Through his generosity, foresight and supportive family, his legacy is assured for generations. Sometimes, just doing the right thing is noble enough to make a man a hero.

Brenda Berstler is the founder of the Walking Example Group (WE-GO) a non-profit organization encouraging walking and walkable communities. Visit their website at www.we-go.org.