7:00 AM - Eco-tour Lite

Tour Guide: Paul Leuchner - 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 up to 1 hour and is for people age 12+.

 

 

 

7:00 AM -  Eco-tour #2   

Tour Guide: Joe Menter - Check in at Shelter 2B and launch from beach 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.  Both Eco-tour #2 & #3 are for people age 12+

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7:30 AM -  Eco-tour #3   

Tour Guide: Erin Redding - Check in at Shelter 2B and launch from beach

 

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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. IF your plans change, PLEASE cancel your reservation, so someone else can have your spot. Please be ready to depart from launch site 10 minutes prior to start time. Each eco-tour is limited to 15 participants each. All youth participants must be accompanied by an adult.

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8:00 AM - Eco-tour Hike  

Tour Guides: Edward Fuchs

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. If you register and your plans change, PLEASE cancel, so we can open up a spot for someone on the waiting list.

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8:00 AM & 8:30 AM -  Kayak Trial Sessions 

Instructors: Liz Nelson & Holly Henderson

These sessions are offered by NY State Parks staff, who perform regular learn to Kayak sessions throughout the summer. 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 10 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. Please register for one of the two sessions.

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8:00 AM & 9:00 AM - Sport Fishing Sessions - Returning this year!

Ladders to the Outdoors

Experienced fishermen will be on hand to answer questions and show you how to fish, all equipment is provided and NO fishing permit is required. Please register for one of the two sessions.

 

9:30 AM - 10:00 PM - Historical Boat Anchorage by Buffalo Maritime Center

& Niagara Frontier Antique and Classic Boats Chapter  - New!!

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View and hear about antique & classic motor boats and historical paddling craft, including an 8 person voyager canoe and a birch bark canoe, that will be anchored right off the shore of the launch site.  You will have an opportunity to see the boats up close as the Fun Paddle route will paddle right past them. 

 

 

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 is 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. All youth participants under age 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

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9:30 AM - 12:30 PM FREE E-Bike Trials New!

Bert's Bikes & Fitness will be onsite offering free e-bike trials at the Paddles Up Niagara event. If you have ever thought about purchasing an e-bike now is the perfect time to try it out! Take one for a spin around the very safe environment of Beaver Island State Park.

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​​9:30 AM - 12:30 PM - Exhibitors & Vendors

Make sure to visit the many organizational partners that will be exhibiting 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! Participating organizations include; Adirondack Mountain Club Niagara Frontier Chapter, Dick's House of Sports, Bert's Bikes, Wegmans, 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 PRISM, Department of Environmental Conservation, Niagara Frontier Surfrider, Ladders to the Outdoors, Buffalo Museum of Science, Erie County Climate Action, CW Native Botanicals and Buffalo Maritime Center.

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11:00 AM - 1:00 PM - Free admission to Grand Island Historical Museum at River Lea!

Paddles Up participants will have the opportunity to step back in time and see what it was like living on Grand Island during the 1800's, 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

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