FREE EVENT! Join in the FUN for the 17th Annual Paddles Up Niagara!
Enjoy a family-friendly day safely experiencing nature & the waters of the Niagara River.
* Experience any of the Eco Paddle Tours, Eco-Hike, Kayak trial session, the FUN Paddle, and Historic Museum!
**Kayaks and Life jackets are not provided.
7:00 AM - Eco-tour Lite - New this year! Check-in and launch from East River Marsh
This tour will have all the wildlife viewing but with less paddling. It is meant for beginners or those who are more interested in learning about the habitat. This tour will take approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. Min. age 12+
7:00 AM - Eco-tour #2 Check in at Shelter 2B and launch from the beach
7:30 AM - Eco-tour #3
The eco-tours #2 and #3 begin at Beaver Island Beach and are a bit longer and more strenuous than the Eco-tour Lite. They are meant for more intermediate to advanced paddlers. These tours can take up to 2 hours. Min. age 12+
* All Eco-tours are designed to be smaller in size, so everyone can hear the guide interpret plants and animal life as they guide the group through habitats around Beaver Island. Spaces are limited so please register early and only if you know you can attend. Please be ready to depart from the launch site 10 minutes prior to the start time. Each eco-tour is limited to 15 participants each.
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM - 15-minute Kayak Trial Sessions (first come first serve at location)
New this year! These sessions are offered by the NY State Parks Interpretive staff, who perform regular learn to Kayak sessions throughout the summer. For the Paddles UP Niagara event, they are offering a 15-minute kayak trial session on a first come first serve basis. If you have ever wondered what it would feel like to sit in a kayak in the water, now is your chance to experience just that! Our expert trainers will walk you through how to get into a kayak and how to paddle correctly. Kayaks and PDFs will be provided. If you decide to participate in the Fun Paddle you can rent a Kayak from Blue Water Marina (information below). These sessions are offered to anyone age 12 and up and are limited to 10 participants at a time. The sessions will be taking place at the Beaver Island Beach launch site, near shelter 2B.
8:00 AM - Eco-tour Hike Back again for the 2nd year! The Eco-tour Hike will be lead by members of the Niagara Frontier Botanical Society, it will begin at shelter 2B and walk to River Lea and the Allenton Farm. From there it will continue on down the East River Trail, to the Kayak launch, and then return to shelter 2B. The expert guides will identify and discuss trees, shrubs, and flowering plants along the way. It is an easy walk on level ground. This hike is limited to 16 participants. All ages.
10:30 AM - Fun Paddle The large Fun Paddle leaves from Beaver Island beach goes past the Marina, around Little Beaver Island, and then back to the launch site. This session is unique because it is a very large group, possibly the largest in NY State all launching at the same time! We have safety paddlers to help guide the group along the route and the Park Police and GI Fire Department on motor boats to keep motor boats away from the paddlers. Min. age 12+.
11am-1pm
Environmental Exhibitors Make sure to visit the many organizational partners that will be exhibiting very important water safety equipment & information, sharing environmental resources and other interesting facts about our unique and precious natural resource that surrounds WNY, our Great Lakes, and the Niagara River! Some of the participating organizational partners include; NY Sea Grant, Citizen Coalition for Wildlife & Environment, Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper, WNY Land Conservancy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Army Corps of Engineers, Black Rock Riverside Alliance, WNY Raptor & Wildlife Care, Department of Environmental Conservation, Niagara Region Parks Interpretive, and Erie County Climate Action.
Free admission to River Lea Historical Museum, Paddles Up participants will have the opportunity to step back in time and see what it was like living on Grand Island during the 1800s, when Grover Cleveland's uncle, Lewis Allen, built the mansion, that is now called River Lea. If you have been inside River Lea in the past, you may want to make another visit because it has gone through some changes with new displays. To follow recent developments with the museum and historical society visit: http://www.isledegrande.com/historicalsociety/historicalsociety.php
Refreshments and food will be hosted by Bogey's.
*Kayaks and Life jackets are not provided.
Where: Beaver Island State Park at Shelter 2B
When: Saturday, July 29, 2023
Day Time Festivities: 7am to 1pm
*Park Admission fee is subject to Park hours of operation.
FREE T-shirt for the first 200 registered participants! Online Registration closes at 4pm on Thursday, July 27, 2023. In-Person registration is available at the Recreation Office M-F 9am to 3pm (716-773-9680), or on the day of the event opens from 7am to 10am.
!! If you register and your plans change, PLEASE request to cancel by calling Rec Dept. before 4pm Thursday, July 27th, so we can open up a spot for someone on the waiting list. 716-773-9680
For individuals who don't feel like bringing their own kayak, or for those who are just starting out and need a kayak, please contact Blue Water Marina-Phone: 716-773-7884. They are a trusted partner with quality boats and they bring the kayaks right to Beaver Island Beach on the day of the event. For more information on this event visit:
https://www.niagararivergreenway.com/paddles-up