Beaver Island State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Beaver Island State Park |
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The beach at Beaver Island State Park in June 2015. Fort Erie, Ontario is visible across the Niagara River.
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| Type | State park |
| Location | Grand Island, New York |
| Area | 952 acres (3.85 km2) |
| Created | 1935 |
| Operated by | New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation |
| Visitors | 340,781 (in 2020) |
| Open | All year |
Beaver Island State Park is a cool state park located on Grand Island in northwestern Erie County, New York. It sits at the southern tip of the island, right next to the Niagara River. You can get there easily using the Beaver Island Parkway, a road about 2.7 miles long that connects the park to Interstate 190.
Inside the park, you'll find the Beaver Island State Park Golf Course. It's a championship 18-hole golf course that's open to everyone.
Did you know? Beaver Island State Park is one of 80 New York State Parks that will be in the path of the 2024 solar eclipse! Visitors there will get to see the sun completely covered for 3 minutes and 43 seconds.
Contents
Park History: From Estates to Public Fun
Beaver Island State Park first opened its doors in 1935. Before it became a park, this land was made up of several large, fancy estates owned by wealthy families from Buffalo. These families generously donated their properties to New York State so that everyone in Western New York could enjoy them. Some of these grand estates included:
- The Falconwood Club – This was a resort started by Lewis Allen.
- River Lawn – This was the summer home of important people like Elbridge G. Spaulding and Franklin Sidway.
- River Lea – This summer home belonged to Lewis F. Allen, who was the uncle of US President Grover Cleveland. You can still find River Lea within the park today!
In 2015, exciting news came for the golf course: a new $2 million building was planned. This new building would have a pro shop, a restaurant, a bar, and a big outdoor seating area. It was built to replace the old one that was unfortunately destroyed by a fire in 2012.
Fun Things to Do at Beaver Island Park
Beaver Island State Park offers tons of activities for visitors of all ages! There's something fun to do no matter the season.
Here are some of the cool things you can enjoy:
- A sandy beach for swimming and relaxing.
- Picnic tables and pavilions perfect for outdoor meals and gatherings.
- Special recreation programs for different age groups.
- A nature trail where you can explore and learn about local plants and animals.
- Amazing birdwatching opportunities, including seeing beautiful swans and graceful herons.
- Fishing and ice-fishing when the weather is right.
- Winter sports like sledding, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling.
- A boat launch with a marina and docks for those who love boating.
- A food concession where you can grab snacks and drinks.
The park also has a nature center that's open from noon to 4 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Many people love visiting Beaver Island State Park; in 2014, about 279,000 people came to enjoy the park!
Disc Golf Course
Beaver Island State Park is home to the Blue Heron Disc golf course. This is an 18-hole course that's about 4,000 yards long. It was finished in 1999 and is a great place to play disc golf!
Golf Course Details
The Beaver Island State Park Golf Course is a par 72 course. It was designed by William Harries and Russ Tryon and first opened in 1963. The course is usually open from April 20 through November 8, depending on the weather.
Beaver Island Parkway: Your Road to Fun
The Beaver Island Parkway is also known as South Parkway. It's a 2.72-mile long road that connects Beaver Island State Park to I-190 and NY 324. This road is a four-lane highway with a divider in the middle, making it easy to drive on.
Even though it's a parkway, it has some intersections where you can turn onto local roads. The New York State Department of Transportation helps maintain this road.
How the Parkway Works
The Beaver Island Parkway starts at a traffic circle right at the entrance to Beaver Island State Park. It heads north, first going through wooded areas near the park. As you drive further, the trees give way to neighborhoods. The parkway crosses a few local roads and then ends at a big interchange with I-190 and NY 324.
