Governor Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday that New York State has acquired 284 acres of the former Babcock-Hovey Scout Camp in the Town of Ovid, a move officials say will expand public access to outdoor recreation while protecting a significant stretch of Seneca Lake shoreline.
The property, purchased for more than $5.9 million through the New York State Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act, adjoins the Department of Environmental Conservation’s Willard Wildlife Management Area and will nearly triple the amount of land available there for wildlife conservation and public use.
State officials said the acquisition contributes to New York’s goal of conserving 30 percent of the state’s lands and waters by 2030 and adds to the more than 70,000 acres preserved under Governor Hochul’s administration.
“Babcock-Hovey is a gem along Seneca Lake, and this conservation achievement is a prime example of how the historic Bond Act is helping expand public access and protect drinking water in the Finger Lakes,” Hochul said. “By protecting this waterfront from development and connecting it to existing public lands, New York State will continue the camp’s legacy of affordable outdoor recreation for generations to come.”
The former scout camp includes cabins, lodges, a mess hall, shooting range, swimming pool, stocked pond, and a dock on Seneca Lake. The property lies between the Willard Wildlife Management Area and Bonavista State Park and includes approximately 2,800 feet of protected shoreline.
DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said the acquisition will preserve critical habitat and drinking water resources while maintaining public access to the lake.
“The former Babcock-Hovey Scout Camp protects habitat and drinking water while helping continue the community’s connections and access to Seneca Lake,” Lefton said. “This Bond Act investment secures more than a mile of picturesque shoreline and complements our adjacent wildlife management area.”
Seneca Lake is one of the Finger Lakes region’s most important natural resources, containing approximately 4.2 trillion gallons of water and serving as the primary drinking water source for nearly 100,000 residents. Communities that rely on the lake for drinking water include Geneva, Watkins Glen, Waterloo, and Ovid.
State officials said preserving the property will help protect water quality by preventing development and reducing the potential for nutrient and sediment runoff into the lake.
The property will be temporarily closed to the public while DEC evaluates infrastructure, completes safety improvements, and develops plans for future recreational use. The agency said it will provide updates as those plans move forward.
New York State Parks Commissioner Kathy Moser said the acquisition complements existing public lands along Seneca Lake and supports efforts to encourage outdoor recreation.
“Seneca Lake is one of New York’s most valuable natural resources and a premier destination for outdoor recreation,” Moser said. “These new public lands will create affordable recreational opportunities for New York families while advancing Governor Hochul’s ‘Get Offline, Get Outside’ initiative.”
The acquisition marks the end of an era for the property as a scout camp, though Scouting America officials welcomed the state’s commitment to preserving the land.
“Babcock-Hovey has long been a place where generations of Scouts learned to appreciate, respect, and care for the natural world,” said Jonathan P. Widmark, Scout Executive and CEO of the Seneca Waterways Council. “While this transition is emotional for many in our Scouting community, we are grateful that New York State and the DEC recognize the environmental significance of this property and are committed to protecting it for the future.”
