Our Community & History

Our Story

The History of Lake Sylvan

Lake Sylvan was created in 1947 with the construction of a 21-foot earth dam on a tributary of Beaver Creek in Clark County, Ohio. Spanning 580 feet in length, the dam formed a private reservoir that would become the centerpiece of a growing lakefront community.

In the years that followed, the Sylvan Shores subdivisions were developed around the lake in three sections, offering residential lots with deeded access to the private lake for boating, fishing, swimming, and recreation.

The Property Owners' Association

The Lake Sylvan Property Owners' Association was organized to maintain the lake and common areas, uphold the community's recorded covenants and restrictions, and ensure that every homeowner can enjoy the benefits of lakefront living.

The association was formally incorporated as an Ohio nonprofit corporation on October 11, 1988 (Ohio Entity #734736) and holds federal tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(7). The POA owns approximately 33 acres of community land surrounding the lake.

Recorded Covenants

The Sylvan Shores subdivisions are governed by recorded covenants, conditions, and restrictions that run with the land. The current Amended Subdivision Restrictions, Easements and Rights were adopted by majority vote on October 12, 1985 and are recorded in Vol. 19, Pages 232-236 of the Clark County Official Records (filed January 15, 1986). These covenants are binding on all property owners and automatically renew every five years.

Among other provisions, the covenants establish a mandatory annual assessment for every property owner, payable to the association, which funds the maintenance of the lake and community operations.

Lake Sylvan Today

Today, Lake Sylvan remains one of Clark County's best-kept secrets: a private lake community with easy access to Interstate 70, located between Dayton and Columbus. The association continues to work toward improving the lake, maintaining community standards, and ensuring that Lake Sylvan remains a great place to live for years to come.