Hidden Gem: Kershaw Park Beach

As a born and bred New Englander, I’m definitely an “ocean beach” snob. Give me waves and salty air over, well, a sometimes questionable lake beach experience. I thought my first trek to a Rochester-area lake had traumatized me for life. I don’t know if it was the green lake sludge or putrid lake smell that scarred me the most, but it was bad.

After visiting Kershaw Park Beach in Canandaigua, Ontario County, I changed my mind.

Is it really “hidden?”

No – it’s right at the north tip of Canandaigua Lake, near the bustling heart of the City of Canandaigua.

Then, what’s the “secret”?

I didn’t realize how relaxing a beach trip can be! It was just my boys, ages 2 and 5, and me. Usually, with ocean beaches, I’m constantly following my kiddos into the water, making sure they stay safe. I don’t want fierce ocean waves dragging my extremely lightweight 2-year-old out to sea!

I love playing with my boys in the water. But – WOW! How nice it was to lounge on a beach towel, watching them splash and swim! The water was super calm (no waves!) as they played in a roped-off swimming area under a lifeguard’s watchful eyes. The water was also clean—no scary green lake sludge!

Favorite Parts

We went right as the beach opened at 10 a.m. on a Monday; for the first 30 to 45 minutes, we had the beach practically to ourselves. There’s even a grassy area if you don’t like getting too sandy.

You can buy food–ice cream, pretzels, nachos, etc. The surrounding park  includes walking paths around the lake, a playground and picnic tables.

The views were breathtaking. Puffy white clouds dotted the clear blue skies. Powerboats, sailboats and paddle boarders bobbed about in the area outside the roped-off swimming area. Lake homes and the rolling hills of nearby towns hugged the shoreline

The Details

Season: May 27, 2017 to Sept. 4, 2017
Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily (hours are different in June)

Price: Resident tags are $1 per person. For non-residents, it’s $5 for an adult and $2 for a child (ages 6-18), and free for kids 5 and under.

For more information, go to: http://www.canandaiguanewyork.gov/index.asp?SEC=97D1D0A4-3F38-4499-8D39-600155294C96&Type=B_BASIC

 

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