Beechwood State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Beechwood State Park |
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Beechwood State Park, March 2009
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| Type | State park |
| Location | Town of Sodus, Wayne County, New York |
| Nearest city | Rochester, New York |
| Area | 288 acres (1.17 km2) |
| Created | 1999 |
| Operated by | |
Beechwood State Park is a beautiful 288-acre (1.17 km2) state park located right on the shore of Lake Ontario. You can find it in the Town of Sodus in Wayne County, New York. This park used to be a camp for the Girl Scouts of the USA. Today, it's owned by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation but is managed by the Town of Sodus.
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The Story of Beechwood State Park
From Girl Scout Camp to State Park
In 1929, the Girl Scouts of the USA bought about 150 acres (0.61 km2) of land. This land was right next to Lake Ontario. They built a place called Camp Beechwood there. For many years, the Girl Scouts and other youth groups used the camp. They enjoyed camping and outdoor fun.
However, in the late 1990s, the camp faced money problems. This meant they had to close Camp Beechwood.
New Beginnings as a State Park
In 1999, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation bought the property. Their plan was to turn it into a New York state park. But there wasn't enough money in the state budget. So, the park was called a "preserve" instead. It never got fully developed by the state. The old camp buildings were left alone and started to fall apart.
The park grew bigger in 2006. The state bought another 146 acres (0.59 km2) of land next to it. This made the park much larger.
Local Management and Improvements
In 2010, the Town of Sodus took over managing the park. They signed a long-term agreement with New York State. Since then, the town has worked hard to improve the park. They have fixed and secured the old buildings. They have also cleared trails, making it a much nicer place to visit.
What You Can See and Do at Beechwood State Park
Beechwood State Park has about 1,500 feet (457 m) of shoreline along Lake Ontario. The beach is made of small pebbles. Over time, the lake's waves have caused some erosion. You might see trees that have fallen from the nearby bluffs onto the beach.
The park also has several miles of hiking trails. These trails are mowed, making them easy to walk. There's a picnic pavilion where you can eat. You'll also find several small shelters for shade or quick breaks. If you like fishing or canoeing, you can access Maxwell Creek from the park.
