Farmland covers much of Lapeer in Cortland County
Country roads wind through rolling hills dotted with dairy farms in Lapeer, where the occasional farmhouse epitomizes the quaint, country atmosphere of this rural Central New York town. Locals here live a quiet lifestyle, driving to neighboring towns like Marathon for necessities and returning home to isolated properties on acres of land. Outdoor recreation is a major draw to this area, with state land like James Kennedy State Forest covering thousands of acres nearby, and Greek Peak Mountain Resort offering year-round family activities. “Anybody that lives around Lapeer and Marathon, they do a lot of traveling to Greek Peak. There’s all kinds of activities on Greek Peak,” says Donna Standish, local real estate agent at Yaman Real Estate.
Farms, woods and the occasional home in rural Lapeer
Generationally owned farms cover much of Lapeer’s land area, and real estate turnover is generally slow. Farmland and wooded areas can occasionally come up for sale. Standish says that many buyers in these rural Cortland County communities are looking to invest in hunting land and use the properties on an intermittent basis. “They might put a driveway in and just have a camper; they might drill a well to have water to connect the camper. Some go as far as putting in a septic system,” she says.
Single-family homes in Lapeer usually sit on acres of land, and include traditional-style properties, cabins, farmhouses and manufactured homes. Estimated home values typically range from $100,000 to $575,000, depending on their square footage, condition and plot size. Lapeer’s CAP Index Crime Score is 1, below the national average of 4.
Recreation at Greek Peak Mountain Resort and James Kennedy Forest
Greek Peak Mountain Resort is just north of Lapeer. In the winter, families enjoy skiing and snowboarding on the resort’s dozens of slopes. During the warmer months, mountain biking, ziplines and disc golf are among the recreational options here. The Waterfalls Spa and Cascades Indoor Waterpark are also major year-round attractions at the facility. For visitors, the Campground at Hope Lake is on-site at the resort, and Country Hills Campgrounds is located within Lapeer.
More outdoor fun can be found nearby. Maple Hill Golf Club is a public course 7 miles east with 18 holes on hilly terrain, and nearby Marathon’s town park has a playground and a boat launch into the Tioughnioga River. State forests surround Lapeer, and one nearby option is James Kennedy State Forest. This 4,507-acre forest invites hunters, hikers and cross-country skiers to its trails. The forest also has 12 miles of snowmobile trails cutting through the dense woods and gentle hills.
Lapeer students go to school in Marathon
Students in Lapeer typically attend school in nearby Marathon. They can start at Appleby Elementary School, which has a B-minus rating from Niche, for pre-K through grade 6, and continue to C-plus-rated Marathon Jr./Sr. High School. Students at the high school can take college-level classes and earn credit with Tompkins Cortland Community College. They can also take career and technical education classes in pathways including health occupations, welding, cosmetology and early childhood education at Marathon High School.
Necessities in neighboring towns
For basics, nearby Marathon has a Dollar General and a local grocer, Gregg’s Supermarket. Cortland is about 15 miles northwest and has larger chains like Walmart. Marathon also has restaurants like Reilly’s Cafe, a diner-style joint serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, and Mijos, a neighborhood bar serving burgers and wings. The Greek Peak Mountain Resort is home to Carver’s Steakhouse, an upscale restaurant with a contemporary atmosphere. The town’s church, Lapeer Christian Church, is on Parker Street.
Central New York’s Maple Festival is held nearby in Marathon
The neighboring town of Marathon hosts the area’s Maple Festival in April. Held annually for over 50 years, this community event features an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast and pancake eating competition, dozens of craft vendors, locally produced maple items including syrup and sugar, and live performers.
Driving to cities in Central New York from Route 11 and I-81
Drivers can take nearby U.S. Route 11 and Interstate 81 to get to Cortland, 15 miles north, Syracuse, 50 miles north, or Binghamton, 30 miles south. State Route 221 also goes through Lapeer and connects drivers 25 miles west to Ithaca. Ithaca, Syracuse and Binghamton also each have commercial airports. Health care is also nearby: Guthrie Lourdes Hospital is in Binghamton, and the Guthrie Cortland Medical Center is in Cortland.
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Written By
Faith Wakefield
