Babcock Lake Estates (BLE)
Perched high in the Grafton, NY mountains and surrounded by a forest of hemlock, beach, maple, pine and oak, Babcock Lake is a private, spring fed lake with a rich history dating back to the early 1920's. The lake is not accessible by the general public. The majority of our 160+ residents are members of the non-profit organization Babcock Lake Estates, Inc. (BLE). Our mission is to maintain and improve the quality of life of the lake community, focusing on preserving the lake and its watershed.
Our sister organization, the Babcock Lake Property Owners Association (BLPOA), provides a variety of fun-filled activities for youngsters and adults throughout the summer season. There are swim lessons, boating, archery, tennis, basketball, volleyball, environmental lessons and many other social events such as dances, dinners, beach parties, golf outings, horseshoes, pancake breakfast's, movie nights and more.
We would like to thank all the residents that are members of the BLE and BLPOA.
Our community is at its best with the participation of all our residents.
Our community is at its best with the participation of all our residents.
Babcock Lake Estates Newsletter
Spring 2024 Newsletter will be available May 2024
Babcock Lake Residents Directory
(contact a BLE Board member to access)
What is Babcock Lake Estates responsible for?
The Babcock Lake Estates (BLE) is responsible for a variety of management, administration, maintenance and legal aspects of the organization. Below are a few of the Estates responsibilities.
Steward of the undeveloped properties that the Estates owns. The Estates pay the taxes and the insurance on these lands as well as maintains them.
Responsible for the operations and maintenance of the dam. The dam must be maintained under current New York State regulations and is inspected by the state regularly.
Manages, maintains and staffs the beach
Monitors boat use and provides a sticker program
Provides summer garbage pick-up with a vendor at a group rate.
Maintains the standards and legal requirements of a private lake to benefit its members and maintain its status as a private lake.
Maintains the tennis court and basketball court
Provides signage regarding land use
Stocks the lake with fish
Sponsors an annual septic pump out for residents at a reduced rate
Installs and maintains boat docks for use by non lakefront members
Maintains the entrance gates
Provides easements to it's members for the use of septic and wells
Provides a voice at the monthly Town of Grafton town meetings
Purchase and maintains a defibrillator at the beach for the emergency use of the lake residents
Sponsors an annual "weed pull" day to keep the growth of plants from taking over our lake.
Education for residents about good lake practices, publishes an annual Environmental Newsletter.
Acts as a representative for the residents when land use issues arise with local governments.
Collects and maintains water samples from the lake and is part of a state lake water testing program. The results can be found on the NYSFOLA web site
BLE Board of Directors contact info (2024)
Jim Alund Jr., Vice President(518) 330-7242jimjr@wrcpa.com
Julie Longo, Secretary(518) 416-4344julielongo87@gmail.com
Gabe Casey(518) 396-9611cpthowdy4876@aol.com
William Simpson(518) 879-8508billsimpson1825@gmail.com
Rich Sussman(518) 330-1843rdsussman@gmail.com
Brendan Scanlon(518) 881-8441brendan.j.scanlon@gmail.com
Kathy Birmbaum (914) 907-8842kathybirnbaum@gmail.com
Michael Hayden(973) 452.9727mjhhayden@mac.com
Robert Burke, Treasurer(518) 366-6326treasurerble@gmail.com
Rules and Regulations of Babcock Lake and the resident access rambles
For the respect and safety of our residents, their families and guests the following rules and regulations have been established for the lake and its ramble access points.
The use of any gasoline operated boats or watercraft is strictly prohibited on Babcock Lake.
No boats from outside the lake community will be permitted on the lake.
Safety is of the utmost importance with the use of all boats, watercraft, floatation devices and free swimming. All residents and guests should follow sound and common sense safety precautions in and around the lake.
Persons swimming in the lake (outside the designated beach swimming area) without the benefit of a boat or other safety precautions do so at their own risk.
Firearms, bows, BB guns or Co2 guns or other dangerous weapons, shall not be used within the property boundaries of Babcock Lake from May 1st to October 1st.
All dogs must be restrained by a leash when they are off of their owners’ premises. Dogs also must be kept effectively restrained from the general public in any open or unfenced area, public or private.
All unregistered vehicles and unlicensed drivers are not to operate their vehicles on lake roads.
The speed limit for automobiles on the lake roads is 20 miles per hour. Cars may only be parked at places provided for the purpose. No parking is permitted on the main roads or in other places considered dangerous. Violators will be reported to the Rensselaer County Sheriffs office.
The excessive use of oil on Babcock Lake roads is prohibited.
The use of soap or other cleansing material in the lake is forbidden. The use of low phosphate or biodegradable detergents in property owners homes is encouraged.
Bathers are required to change their clothes in a camp or at the public changing rooms at the beach.
Game playing on the beach is at the discretion of the beach manager.
Picnics and group parties will be permitted at the picnic area next to the beach house. Persons making use of these facilities are expected to remove all garbage. The use of glass containers is prohibited on the beach.
Loud playing of music or any other noise pollution within the property boundaries of the lake shall be strictly prohibited.
Boats may be parked seasonally (May 1 - Oct. 1) at Little Beach, Big Beach and Rambles. Boats must be properly tagged with boat stickers and kept orderly and stored back from the lake shore area.
Large boats and/or vessels of any kind must adhere to permit processing. Email Mike Longo at mlongo1@nycap.rr.com
No parties or fires at ramble access points.
No swimming off ramble access points.
No trees, shrubs, plants including grass can be removed from ramble areas without prior approval of the BLE.
No pontoon boats may be permanently docked at rambles.
No motor vehicles are allowed to traverse or park on rambles.
The ramble docks are community property regardless of who paid to have them constructed.
The users of the rambles are the guardians of their community rambles.
Boat storage at the rambles is for BLE members in good standing only. All other boats will be removed.
Plans must be submitted to the BLE for approval before any docks or other structures are constructed on the rambles. The BLE reserves the right to remove all docks, boats or any other items from the rambles.