Enid Burrows, also known as “Grandma Lake,” recently received the LakeSmart Award after transforming her property into a peaceful lake-friendly retreat for her and her family.
For over 50 years, Enid has considered the lakes of New Hampshire her home. Her love of the water started at a young age, growing up in Nebraska and spending time at her family’s cabin on a lake. It was a typical 1940s cabin with an outhouse and a beautiful view.
In her teens, she was the youngest to join the synchronized swim club and to star in one of the acts. Before Title IX, there was no girls’ swim team, so her teachers arranged for her to work out with the boys’ team to give her some competition.
As a young adult, Enid made her way to Moultonborough, New Hampshire, as a counselor at Camp Robindel on Lake Winnipesaukee. She eventually became the head of waterfront, overseeing all lake activities at the camp, and then camp program director. She spent the summer on Lake Winnipesaukee while working on getting her bachelor’s degree the rest of the year in Nebraska. After getting her degree, Enid moved to New Hampshire full-time, married and built her own home on Lake Kanasatka.
Enid is dedicated to ensuring that her property is as lake-friendly as possible, helping to protect the fragile health of the lake.
Enid retrofitted her gorgeous property with a perched beach. She also included vegetated buffers, a paddlesport storage area, designated social gathering areas to minimize widespread soil compaction, and a natural lawn. These are all attractive and effective ways to slow down and soak up runoff water before it can pollute the lake.
The love for the lake continues through generations.
Enid raised her two daughters, Robin and Lanette, along Lake Kanasatka, and they regularly return to this happy place to continue their beloved water activities and create new traditions together. For sure, memories are made on this lake! Enid hosted a lakeside wedding for Lanette and Matthew, with “the joy and laughter of children jumping off the dock” as a backdrop, and “three (or four or five) generations of friends and family came along for the ride.”
Robin and her family return each summer for a special time at the lake. Now known as “Grandma Lake” by many, Enid’s home continues to be a gathering place for family and friends to enjoy life on the lake. Her love of the water certainly brings a smile to her face. She kept slalom skiing until age 76, and you can still see her, now 82, spotting on the Boston Whaler when the family goes skiing.
Always a steward of the environment, Enid prioritizes protecting the lake for future generations. She takes pride in living thoughtfully; her home’s LakeSmart Award is a proudly worn badge.
What happens on your property affects the lake—whether you live along it or miles from it. By living in a lake-friendly way, like Enid, you can help keep the lake you love clean and healthy while preserving wildlife habitat, recreational activities, and the value of your home. Learn more here.
by Ale Consulting