Rural seclusion and small-town charm in Fenton Township
Fenton Township offers small-town charm in the New York countryside with easy access to Binghamton, nine miles south. "I think it is welcoming," says Melodie Bowersox, town clerk. "The people in the community seem pretty friendly." The town is rich in woodland and home to Chenango Valley State Park, a Broome County favorite for its lakes, golf course and campgrounds. "It is very beautiful," Bowersox says. "Especially in the fall, when the leaves change color." Fenton also includes the hamlets of Hillcrest and Port Crane, where most of the town's small businesses are located. Many residents commute to nearby communities, such as Binghamton, for work and additional shopping and dining. "It's a nice, quiet area to live in," Bowersox says.
Cottages, farmhouses and ranch-style homes with rustic charm
Fenton Township's housing spans nearly two centuries, from mid-19th-century farmhouses to custom-built, 21st-century country estates. Though, most listings date to the mid- to late-20th century.
In the hamlets, single-family homes sit close together along sidewalk-lined streets, with manicured lawns, mature trees and curbside mailboxes creating a suburban feel. Cottages and farmhouses with rustic charm are typical, often featuring covered porches, louvered shutters and painted wood siding. Along country roads, larger ranch and custom-built homes sit on spacious lots, offering privacy, room for outbuildings and open countryside views. The town also includes a handful of manufactured home communities, including Forest Manor, a 55-plus neighborhood.
Depending on size and features, prices range from $30,000 for a manufactured home to $430,000 for a turnkey single-family property. Homesteads with acreage and modern amenities, like multi-car garages and decks, cost between $500,000 and $700,000.
Academic and athletic success at Chenango Forks High
Fenton Township is part of multiple school districts, including Chenango Forks School District, which Niche rates B overall. Kids attend Chenango Forks Elementary, Chenango Forks Middle and Chenango Forks High — all are rated B. At the latter, teens may take dual-enrollment courses for credit at Tompkins Cortland Community College or SUNY Broome Community College. The high school also has a successful athletics department. In 2024, the football team won the Section 4 Class C championship.
Exploring Chenango Valley State Park
Fenton Township is primarily rural, with creeks and streams running through its dense woodland and pastoral farmland. Chenango Valley State Park is the centerpiece, offering over 1,100 acres of forest, camp sites and a pair of glacial lakes formed at the end of the last ice age. "That draws a lot of people," Bowersox says.
In summer, Chenango Lake's sandy shores and designated swimming areas are the county's go-to for a beach day. The lake's also stocked with largemouth bass and rainbow trout, and there's a shallow launch for kayaks and canoes. More than 20 dirt-packed trails wind through the park, along which red-winged blackbirds and ruby-crowned kinglets can be spotted. In winter, the trails draw cross-country skiers, and the lake's shallow coves freeze over for ice skating. The park's public 18-hole golf course offers sweeping views of the surrounding parkland's forests and hills.
Small-town businesses with fast-casual eats and family-friendly charm
In Hillcrest, Rockin' Robin Diner serves up hot coffee and classic breakfast plates, like griddled pancakes and three-egg omelets. Just up the street, Fraternity Chinese Restaurant dishes out takeout staples such as sesame chicken and beef lo mein, while Bella Pizza & Subs specializes in fast-casual Italian favorites like eggplant Parmesan and manicotti.
Port Crane is home to Farm by Beer Tree Brew, a brewpub along the Chenango River known for its IPAs and artisanal comfort food, like jackfruit tacos with chipotle salsa and house-smoked pulled pork. Families flock to nearby Cones, which scoops over 20 ice cream flavors, hosts live music and includes a playground and a kids' race track.
A few convenience stores stock snacks and household basics, but most residents do their grocery shopping in neighboring Binghamton, where Weis Markets offers a full selection.
The Hillcrest St. Patrick's Day Parade
Since 2013, Fenton Township has celebrated St. Patrick's Day with the Hillcrest parade. Streets turn into parade routes lined with cheering crowds, kids dash for candy thrown from floats and residents sport every shade of green. "They usually have bagpipe bands that come in," Bowersox says.
Residents 55 and older can join the Port Crane Seniors or the North Fenton Seniors, both hosting monthly potluck lunches.
Car-dependent town with commuter routes
Fenton Township is generally considered car-dependent. State Route 369 and Interstate 88 pass through town, granting easy access to Binghamton. UHS Binghamton General Hospital is 10 miles away, and Ithaca Tompkins International Airport is a 55-mile drive.
