Great Hosmer Pond has been a significant part of the Craftsbury, VT community since the mid 40’s when lakefront cabin development began. This serene hideaway allowed residents to enjoy the lake all summer on their boats as well as along the shoreline.   

Fast forward to 1976 when Russell Spring founded the Craftsbury Outdoor Center – primarily focused on sculling (a.k.a. rowing). The outdoor center thrives simply due to the fact that Great Hosmer Pond is “the greatest place on Earth to scull, end of story” according to managing director Troy Howell.

However, as of late, there’s been some resistance to the COC. Motorboats and scullers simply cannot coexist on a lake as narrow as Hosmer. There isn’t enough room. The lake is only 160 feet wide at its broadest part, which would typically mean motor boats were prohibited on the body of water. However, since the lakefront properties date back to the 40’s and 50’s the use of motorboats has been grandfathered in.

Managing director Troy Howell again explains, “If there are 40 to 50 scullers on the lake, it’s virtually impossible for anyone to water-ski.” “By the same token, if there are even three motorboats on the lake functioning at high speeds, it’s virtually impossible to scull.”

The conflict in Craftsbury is at a breaking point, and if a solution isn’t found soon it might boil over.

Shared access to public facilities hasn’t been particularly troublesome in Vermont up until this point due to our low population density. However, as more and more patrons begin to summer in Vermont and use our lakes it’s a problem we could see arise more frequently.   

For any of your real estate questions or concerns contact Steve Lipkin and the LipVT team at Steve@LipVT.com or 802-846-9575.