Outdoor Recreation

Bowman Lake State Park
745 Bliven Sherman Road, Oxford, NY 13830.(Off Route 220, 8 miles west of Oxford). Phone: (607) 334-2718. This 660-acre park borders on 11,000 acres of state forest land. Swimming beach, fishing, paddleboats, rowboats (rentals); nature and hiking trails, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and picnicking. Bowman Lake State Park is a remote sylvan retreat known as "a camper's paradise." Scenic park roads wind through evergreen and hardwood forests to shady campsites. There is a sandy lakefront for swimmers and sunbathers with several picnic areas nearby. The lake is regularly stocked with trout, and birdwatchers can spot as many as 103 species of birds. The park also has a nature center that stocks a self-guiding trail brochure for those who wish to stroll the nature trail around the lake. In winter, snowmobilers and cross-country skiers enjoy outstanding scenery on eight miles of designated trails. Open year round. A portion of the park is open for deer hunting during gun season. Make reservations at: http://www.reserveamerica.com/jsp/commonpage.jsp?goto=/usa/ny/bowm/newindex.php

http://www.freewebs.com/bowmanlake/ is another resource on Bowman Lake
It is not the official Bowman Lake State Park website, but contains lots of info otherwise hard to find.
That site is maintained by volunteers.

Hiking- The Finger Lakes Trail is a beautiful "trail system", or network of footpaths, which runs continuously from east to west across New York State. Oxford contains an 11 mile section of this scenic hiking trail.
..more info here...

Hunting/trapping/fishing- Contact the Dept. of Environmental Conservation for permits, state land info. or rules & regulations. Call Operation Supervisor 3, Bob Rosati, in Kirkwood toll free- 1-800-775-2510. Hours: 8:00am-4:00pm. Also visit: www.dec.state.ny.us .

New Fishing Regulation: American Shad:
On March 4th, 2004, NYS DEC Commissioner Erin M. Crotty announced fishing regulation proposals that would effect angling in several (fresh) waters across NY state, including our Chenango River. The regulation enforces a catch-and-release program, which effects Oxford waters: Chenango River (Chenango Co., Region 7, Proposal ID#: R 7-2), to protect the American shad. All proposals were open to public opinion until April 12th, then the new regulations went into effect October 1st, 2004. Learn how to recognize the American shad and what has been done to recoup their population.
...read more here...

Blue Stone Golf Club
44 Scott Street (at Grant & Scott Streets), Oxford, NY 13830. Phone: (607)843-8352. Fax: (607)843-5413. Proprietor: Will Bradley. E-Mail: blue-stone@citlink.net This scenic, 18 hole, public course overlooks the village of Oxford and the Chenango Valley. The fairways vary between hilly and flat. The signature hole is #14 because it requires a shot to an island green. Water hazards (ponds) come into play on at least five occasions. Greens & Fairways: Bent Grass. Season: April 1st to November 1st. The staff at Blue Stone is ready to accommodate your tournament or special golf event. Visit the "hidden jewel" of golf today! Make reservations by calling directly: 843-8352 or by e-mail: blue-stone@citlink.net.
(For a discount coupon, they are listed in the American Cancer Society NY Golf pass booklet.)

Soccer-
Come watch teams compete at the new, David L. Emerson Soccer Farm -home of the Oxford "Chargers" soccer team. Route 12, Oxford, NY. (607) 334-2407. The site, formed in 2001-2002, features a 500'x500' playing surface. It is called the quad-use soccer/sportfield system. Phil Metzger, club president says, "Play on the best fields!" an invitation to players from Chenango and surrounding counties, to come train and play with them. For schedules and information, visit: http://www.chenangosoccer.org/

Pool Swimming
Town of Oxford Municipal Pool (607) 843-9649, located at the end of West Park Street, Oxford, NY. Swimming Season: June 9th - Aug. 31, 2004. Hours: Mon-Fri 11:00am -8:00pm, Sat. 12-Noon - 8:00pm, Sun. 1:00pm - 8:00pm. Night Swim in July (only) Monday & Thursday (one hour): 9:00pm - 10:00pm. Lifeguards. After 5:00pm, all swimmers 8th grade and below need adult supervision! Swimmers must follow pool rules. A baby pool is available for pre-schoolers only.
When the summer sun gets too hot, plan to cool off in the pool.
Private men's and women's changing areas, showers, and lifeguards on duty make for good clean, safe fun. Make an afternoon of it by bringing a picnic lunch and eating in the shade of the outdoor pavilion. Swimming classes are offered to resident children, but signing up is done well in advance. Contact the Oxford Academy for swimming instruction information.
The Oxford Swimming Pool and Bath House was dedicated to the youth of Oxford in 1978 by the Oxford Recreation Association, the Town & Village Boards of Oxford and the Citizens of the Community. The picnic pavilion was donated by the Oxford Rotary Club. The pool is managed by the Town of Oxford Land & Water Conservation Fund, a cooperative project of the National Park Service-Department of the Interior & the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

ATV Trail Rides-Have been cancelled. Sorry for the inconvenience.