The Mouse and The Lion

In the Town of Springfield, the Cunningham family conserved their 33 acres of woodlands and open space along the northern shores of Otsego Lake. The property is within the Glimmerglass Historic District and has served as a family link for generations. 

Tara’s grandfather donated the Public Landing and town beach to the Town of Springfield so local residents could have easier access to the lake. This family history of land conservation along the shores of the lake for the benefit of neighbors was a deep motivator to conserve the property. The property contains a portion of the iconic Mt. Wellington, sometimes referred to as Sleeping Lion Mountain for its profile as seen from the Village of Cooperstown, and borders a portion of Glimmerglass State Park in the vicinity of the popular Sleeping Lion Trail.

By limiting development along the shores of the lake the Cunningham’s are helping to preserve the water quality of Otsego Lake, which the Village of Cooperstown depends on for its drinking water, along with countless communities downstream along the Susquehanna River.

“This land links generations of our family, and we wanted to protect both that connection as well as the land, forever.” 

– Tara Sumner