More than a mile of Seneca Lake shoreline will remain permanently protected from development after New York State completed the purchase of the former Babcock-Hovey Scout Camp in Seneca County, Governor Kathy Hochul announced this week.
The acquisition includes 284 acres in the Town of Ovid and approximately 2,800 feet of Seneca Lake shoreline. State officials said the property will expand public recreation opportunities, protect drinking water resources and preserve wildlife habitat while supporting New York’s goal of conserving 30% of lands and waters by 2030.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation purchased the property from the Boy Scouts of America for more than $5.9 million using funding from the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act.
The former camp sits adjacent to the state’s Willard Wildlife Management Area and between that property and Bonavista State Park. State officials said the acquisition will nearly triple the amount of land available for wildlife conservation and public use in the immediate area.
Governor Hochul described the former camp as a valuable Finger Lakes resource and said preserving the property will help protect drinking water while expanding public access to the lake.
The acquisition adds to more than 70,000 acres of land preserved under Hochul’s administration and advances New York’s ongoing 30×30 initiative, which seeks to conserve 30% of the state’s lands and waters by the end of the decade.
Protection of a major drinking water source
State officials emphasized the property’s importance to Seneca Lake and regional water quality.
Seneca Lake contains an estimated 4.2 trillion gallons of water and serves as the drinking water source for nearly 100,000 people, including residents in Geneva, Watkins Glen, Waterloo and Ovid.
According to DEC, protecting the property will help prevent future nutrient and sediment runoff associated with more intensive development and land use practices that could negatively affect water quality.
Environmental officials said the property will also support habitat protection and strengthen ecosystem resilience along one of the Finger Lakes region’s most significant natural resources.
Future recreation plans still being developed
The property includes numerous existing facilities, including cabins, lodges, a dining hall, swimming pool, shooting range, stocked pond and a dock on Seneca Lake.
While the long-term vision includes expanded public access and recreational opportunities, state officials said the property will remain temporarily closed while infrastructure improvements are completed and plans for future use are developed.
The DEC said it will provide updates to the community as planning progresses.
State Parks Commissioner Kathy Moser said the acquisition builds on existing public shoreline access at nearby Sampson State Park and Bonavista State Golf Course while creating additional affordable outdoor recreation opportunities for New York residents.
Scouts reflect on transition
Scouting leaders acknowledged the emotional significance of the sale for generations of scouts who spent time at Babcock-Hovey.
Jonathan Widmark, CEO and Scout Executive of the Seneca Waterways Council, said the property helped generations of scouts develop an appreciation for the natural world and environmental stewardship.
While describing the transition as difficult for many within the scouting community, Widmark said the organization supports the state’s commitment to protecting the property’s environmental value and preserving public access. He added that scouts are expected to continue using portions of the property in some capacity under future arrangements.
The acquisition also aligns with the state’s Northern Finger Lakes Unit Management Plan and Open Space Conservation Plan, both of which identify conservation and public access as priorities in the region.
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