Springfield offers country living and lakefront recreation
Otsego Lake and the surrounding mountains make Springfield more than a farming community. The lake, which James Fenimore Cooper called Glimmerglass in “The Leatherstocking Tales,” stretches from Cooperstown in the south to Springfield at its northern shore, providing 9 miles of water recreation and scenic views. Glimmerglass State Park is one of the lake’s most popular access points, and other recreational spots occupy its shores. While the lake is at the center of life in Springfield, most of the area is agricultural, and the community’s gentle hills are speckled with pastures and farms.
Homes on farmland, in hamlets and bordering Otsego Lake
Housing styles here vary widely, including farmhouses on several acres and National homes that sit close together in the area's hamlets. Many of these were built in the 1800s, and there are also midcentury ranch-style homes available throughout. “It’s mostly older homes in a country setting,” says Linda Kiesow, who's been a licensed real estate salesperson with Country Boy Realty for 40 years. “Some of the houses on the lake are an entirely different story and a different price point.” Lakefront homes usually have custom designs that feature large windows and porches. Prices generally range from around $150,000 to $500,000, though lakefront homes and farmhouses on over 100 acres can go for more. Some properties, especially near the lake, may be at high risk of flooding and require flood insurance.
Glimmerglass State Park and other recreational spots on the lake
Glimmerglass State Park provides access to Otsego Lake, which is known for its smooth water and is a popular spot for swimming, boating and fishing. The park also has hiking trails, the oldest covered bridge in the United States and Hyde Hall, a 50-room home built in the early 1800s that’s open for house tours from late May through October. In the winter, ice fishing, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are popular park activities. Springfield also has a boat landing and beach that are open only to residents. The public Otsego Golf Club offers lake views from each of its nine holes, and the public Meadow Links Golf Course has 18 holes and a driving range. The Alice Busch Opera Theater is home to the Glimmerglass Festival, a summer-long series of performances that typically includes three operas and one musical. “They have opera singers from all over the world, and they actually have international people going there to see the opera,” Kiesow says.
Cherry Valley-Springfield Central School serves locally grown food
Cherry Valley-Springfield Central School earns a rating of C from Niche and serves kids from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. The school participates in the Farm to School program, where schools in Schoharie and Otsego Counties serve food sourced from local farms, highlight a different regional food each month and integrate agricultural education in the classroom.
Barbecue and fireworks at the Springfield Fourth of July Parade
The annual Springfield Fourth of July Parade has drawn big crowds to the area since 1914. “You’ve got to get there early, or you're parking two miles away and hiking to it,” Kiesow says. Residents from Springfield and the surrounding communities march in the parade, and afterwards they gather for Brooks’ chicken barbecue. Brooks’ House of Bar-B-Q is a beloved staple at the parade and other events in the area. “Everybody looks for Brooks’ Barbecue,” Kiesow says. The day concludes with fireworks over the lake at Glimmerglass State Park.
Routes to Cooperstown, Richfield Springs and Albany
State Route 80 leads around 11 miles to Cooperstown, where Bassett Medical Center is the closest hospital. U.S. Route 20 leads 7 miles to Richfield Springs and 65 miles to Albany, which is home to Albany International Airport. Houses of worship here include St. Mary’s Episcopal Church and First Presbyterian Church of Springfield.
Restaurants and stores are in Richfield Springs and Cooperstown
Convenience Corner is a small store offering snacks and drinks, and it operates The Sub Shop, a deli counter, from May to October. More eateries are in the nearby village of Richfield Springs. Here, Tally-Ho Restaurant serves diner-style breakfast, lunch and homemade pies, and New York Pizzeria specializes in Italian comfort food. Cooperstown has more restaurants in its walkable downtown, as well as shops selling clothing, sports equipment and baseball memorabilia. The weekly Cooperstown Farmers Market is open year-round and offers locally sourced produce and food. Grocery stores here include Price Chopper and Cooperstown Natural Foods, and there’s also a Price Chopper in Richfield Springs.
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Written By
Annie Franklin
