Lenox and Stockbridge — With summer in full swing, Lenox’s famed Arcadian Shop—that caters to lovers of the outdoors—has been forced to pause its program offering a kayak experience at Stockbridge Bowl, also known as Lake Mahkeenac.
According to co-owner Chris Calvert, a new environmental police officer (EPO) cited the business about a month ago for allegedly conducting a kayak rental at the Stockbridge Bowl, a transaction not permitted at the government-owned waterway pursuant to Commonwealth laws and one he vehemently denies. The program involves patrons contracting for a kayak launch at the store and crews bringing the equipment to the Bowl, launching the kayaks for customers on the public ramp.
Calvert maintains that no monetary transactions ever transpire or have transpired at Stockbridge Bowl as all kayaks are rented at the Lenox store, with that protocol serving to not impede people from using the lake or getting in the way of the boat ramp. “All [kayak rental] transactions occur at the Arcadian Shop,” he told The Berkshire Edge during a July 9 phone interview.
Calvert said that a colleague was confronted by an EPO who was performing his daily rounds and inquired whether the employee had a special use permit to conduct that type of business. Although no such permit had been issued at that time, he said he wasn’t under the impression a special use permit was required for the longstanding program since the business isn’t parking at the Bowl or undertaking an event but merely dropping off and picking up kayaks.
The Arcadian Shop pulls a permit for its Monday Night Paddleboard Socials that are also conducted at the Stockbridge Public Boat Ramp.
Calvert said he was told the alleged infraction was “not the type of activity he was able to get a permit for.” He said he had hoped to speak with the EPO and pertinent Commonwealth officials during the past month to clear things up but is still waiting for that conversation to happen.
Arcadian Shop’s activities don’t overuse the lake, he said; instead, they respect the “beautiful resource” for the enjoyment of enthusiasts.
The Bowl is considered to be a Great Pond under the purview of the Commonwealth, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, as is the boat ramp. Massachusetts law provides that a special use permit may be required for an activity exceeding the common use of those types of parklands, including kayaking.
In his Letter to the Editor, former Stockbridge Select Board member Patrick White states his support for the Arcadian Shop, requesting the state reverse its shuttering of the program since the revenue during the area’s short summer season is important for small businesses and the Stockbridge Bowl is owned by Commonwealth taxpayers, including the Arcadian Shop owners. “There are no commercial transactions taking place on government property,” he adds.
Other local health and wellness businesses operate on Stockbridge Bowl, but there are distinguishing factors.
On its website, Kripalu offers a hiking, kayaking, and yoga program at Stockbridge Bowl; however, Kripalu maintains its own private dock at the lake.
According to Canyon Ranch Lenox Outdoor Sports Manager Leah Larmon, the resort has conducted kayak trips at the lake since 1989, securing a permit from the state for each excursion. However, those trips are always guided by team members who remain with their guests. Larmon confirmed that no monetary transactions for these events have ever been conducted at the Bowl.
A Miraval Berkshires employee said the facility provides kayak classes on a different waterway, Laurel Lake.
“We’re just trying to get some answers,” Calvert said. “We don’t want to ruin it for anyone.” Meanwhile, his team is in a holding pattern until the Commonwealth instructs the company on how to move forward. And there have been repercussions from the stalemate. “We definitely lost a lot of money from [not] doing rentals [July 4th weekend],” he said.
Attempts to contact the Massachusetts environmental police office were not returned by press time. Calls to Kripalu were not returned by press time.
