Hartwick College - Pine Lake Environmental Campus

Pine Lake Environmental Campus

Hartwick College acquired the Pine Lake Environmental Campus in 1971 from the Neunzig family. Hartwick owns 257 acres (1.04 km2) in West Davenport, 8.2 miles (13.2 km) from the main campus by Interstate 88.

The campus has 11 buildings, including eight cabins that are used as student housing during the school year. The Vaudevillian, an arched building, is used for movies, contra dances, indoor festivals and other events. Science courses that are taught at Pine Lake often use the R.R. Smith Field Station, which has a small classroom area, a computer lab area, and two lab rooms. A shuttle bus transports students to and from Pine Lake, and living at the environmental campus is an option for all full-time Hartwick students.

Many of Hartwick’s activities are held at Pine Lake, including the Eco-Art Festival, Pine Lake Day, potluck dinners, Solstice parties, the Bread and Puppet Theatre, contra dances, the Awakening freshmen pre-orientation program, the annual chili cook-off, the local food cook-off, photo contests and the Conversations at the Lake discussion series.

Boats and kayaks can be borrowed and used on the lake during warmer months. Pine Lake's facilities also are available to Hartwick staff, faculty, families and guests, as well as public members. There is an extensive trail system around the lake and on the northern side of the road, also called the Upper Tract. The Pine Lake Club installed a disc golf course with nine baskets between the lake and the back field near the Holton Memorial Trail.

Pine Lake sees more than 3,000 visitors a year and is open to the public through membership and summer rentals.