Lake Paran Recreational Trust is a private nonprofit with a stated mission to provide safe, inclusive, and enriching outdoor recreation and environmental education for the North Bennington community and beyond. As a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, it is legally required to operate for the public benefit, maintain accessibility, and uphold a duty of care to those it serves.

Following the tragic drowning in 2024, the Trust agreed—reportedly as part of a legal settlement—to implement a strategic safety plan to prevent further loss of life. That plan was to include trained lifeguards, staff medical preparedness, and emergency response protocols. One year later, none of these measures have been implemented. There is no lifeguard coverage, no medic on staff, and no documented safety drills or tabletop exercises.

By removing core safety services, the lake’s operations now:

Limit Accessibility – Families with young children, non-swimmers, and summer camp programs are effectively excluded from safe participation, undermining the inclusive nature of the mission.
Reduce Public Benefit – The IRS requires that charitable organizations meet the “public benefit test.” Simply leaving the property open without supervised swimming or programming does not meet the standard for active, mission-driven community service.

Violation of  duty  of care 

Vermont nonprofit law recognizes that charitable organizations must exercise reasonable care when serving the public. Advertising a swimming area but offering no trained safety personnel is inconsistent with that duty.

Noncompliance with Settlement Terms

The absence of the promised safety plan may constitute a failure to uphold prior legal commitments, exposing the Trust to further legal and reputational consequences.

While the Trustees have allowed the public to continue visiting the property, the “hands-off” approach now taken is a fundamental departure from Lake Paran’s historic role as an actively managed community recreation space. A nonprofit is not simply a landowner—it is a steward of community assets with an obligation to protect and serve the public.

 

My Plan to Acquire Stewardship and Restore Lake Paran

I am prepared to assume stewardship of Lake Paran through a mission-aligned acquisition or transfer of management authority, ensuring that the lake’s operations fully comply with nonprofit law, safety obligations, and the spirit of its founding mission.

Under my leadership, Lake Paran would have:

Licensed lifeguards on duty during all swimming hours.

On-site medic/EMT coverage for immediate emergency response.

A publicly available safety plan with documented drills and tabletop exercises.

Expanded programming in environmental education, youth recreation, and community events.

Grant funding and sponsorship development to cover operational costs without shifting the burden to visitors.

Revenue generation strategies—including festivals, concerts, and partnerships—that both sustain the lake and boost the local economy.

This is not about closing the lake—it’s about restoring it to a safe, inclusive, and sustainable resource that meets the highest standards of community stewardship.

If the current Trustees are unwilling or unable to meet these obligations, I will formally petition the Vermont Attorney General’s Office, the IRS Exempt Organizations Division, and other relevant authorities to intervene, review compliance, and facilitate a lawful transition of stewardship.

The people of this community deserve a Lake Paran that truly lives up to its mission—not just an unlocked gate and a “swim at your own risk” sign.

if you agree with me. Share this petition far and wide and let’s get these signatures inz