The history of Sparkle Lake parallels the growth of Yorktown from an agricultural community, through its days as a vacation destination, to today's suburban center. Sparkle Lake, with the only sandy beach in town, continues to give Yorktowners a spot to relax and cool off on a hot summer day, to ice-skate during the winter months and to enjoy the natural beauty of our town during all seasons. From fishing competitions, to hockey games, to building sand castles, Sparkle Lake provides a unique resource for the town.

The Town of Yorktown keeps the "sparkle" in the lake's habitat-friendly water. Controlling algae and aquatic weeds (with the help of specially-bred carp), saving swans from fishing tackle and removing oversized turtles are only some of the duties performed by the Parks and Recreation Department in addition to providing a safe swimming and skating environment for residents.

The one-half mile long, 19-acre lake was once just a good old-fashioned swimming hole created by Major Hyatt to provide water for his cattle. His 162-acre farm was maintained by the Hyatt family from 1861 until 1926 (click here for Hyatt family genealogy) when it was purchased by Frederick Merk. The original farmhouse still stands on the corner of Granite Springs Road and Broad Street.

Mr. Merk moved his family from New York City to the farm in April of 1926. He expanded the lake and established a campground community on the hills surrounding the lake along Hyatt Lane (later Hyatt Boulevard and Hyatt Street) and West Somers Road (now Granite Springs Road). Later, he developed the land for more permanent housing on what came to be known as “Merk Farm”.

The homes on the west side of the lake were deeded permanent lake rights and an association was formed. The members of the association picnicked and partied together and formed a tight-knit social group for most of the 1930’s through the 1950’s (for photos click here and select the photos under Homeowners' Association)

As early as 1929, Fred Merk had built a public bathing area on the east side of the lake, using the former Hyatt Farm barns for a snack bar and dressing rooms. He built a long dock, diving pier and floating dock which were replaced several times by the early 1960’s. He even provided a tram in the 1950’s to transport people from the picnic grounds to the lake, making it an ideal spot for out-of-town groups, such as churches, to hold their special events. The Merk family provided everything, including lifeguards to watch over the bathers. 

The Merk family offered to sell Sparkle Lake to the Town in 1961 when it became too difficult for them to maintain. The Town refused the offer, so in 1964 they sold it to a Mr. Feldman who leased it to the Town for the next two summers. On April 18, 1966 the Town of Yorktown purchased the lake and 14 adjacent acres for $59,000. Much discussion preceded the sale, mostly related to the deeded lake rights on the west side held by members of the Sparkle Lake Homeowners Association. Ultimately, the Town recognized the Association members’ rights.

Over the years, Sparkle Lake has provided the residents of Yorktown with excellent four-season recreation, as well as some unusual events as Immersion Baptisms and Town Board meetings. With the help of the residents in keeping the area clean and a dedicated Parks and Recreation staff to handle the tough daily environmental job, the man-made “ol’ swimmin’ hole” should be a popular place to visit for many years to come.

For more information on Sparkle Lake, go to www.sparklelake.org/. 

P.S. The original “swimming hole” can be seen when Sparkle Lake is drained periodically to control aquatic weeds without use of chemicals or mechanical harvesting.

Written by Linda L. Kiederer
Photos courtesy of the Town Clerk’s Office and the Sparkle Lake Association.