Woodlawn Beach State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Woodlawn Beach State Park |
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Woodlawn Beach State Park, August 2017
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| Type | State park |
| Location | S-3580 Lakeshore Road Blasdell, New York |
| Nearest city | Buffalo |
| Area | 107 acres (0.43 km2) |
| Created | 1996 |
| Operated by | |
| Visitors | 146,000 (in 2014) |
| Open | All year |
| Website | Woodlawn Beach State Park |
Woodlawn Beach State Park is a fun place to visit! It's a park about 107 acres (0.43 km2) big. You can find it near the village of Blasdell, right on the eastern shore of Lake Erie in Erie County, New York. This park officially became a state park in 1996. Since 2011, the Town of Hamburg has helped run the park. They work with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to keep it open for everyone.
Contents
Park History: A Look Back
Early Days of Woodlawn Beach
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Woodlawn Beach was a very popular spot a long time ago. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, it was a favorite place for swimming and vacations. People could get there easily by train or even by steamship!
The beach area had many exciting things to do. There was a hotel, a restaurant, and a big hall for dancing. You could also find a bowling alley and a billiards hall. For some outdoor fun, there was a toboggan slide and a huge picnic area. This picnic spot was about 30 acres (0.12 km2) in size.
Becoming a State Park
After the 1950s, it became harder for people to visit the beach. New owners of the land did not allow the public to use it. But good news came in 1996! New York State bought about 93 acres of the property. This made it possible for the beach to open to the public again.
The state spent about $6.3 million to buy the land. A group called the Trust for Public Land helped make this purchase happen. This was a big step in making Woodlawn Beach a state park for everyone to enjoy.
Who Manages the Park?
Before 2011, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation managed Woodlawn Beach State Park. However, the park had to close for a while because of money problems in the state budget.
Since 2011, the Town of Hamburg has been in charge. They have a special agreement with New York State to run the park for ten years. The town has worked hard to make the park better. They tell people about all the cool things at the park, like the beach, restaurant, and places for parties. The town is doing a good job, and the park is becoming more successful.
Park Activities and Facilities
What Can You Do at the Park?
Woodlawn Beach State Park has lots of fun things to do! You can enjoy the sandy beach, go for a hike on the trails, or play at the playground. There are also nice picnic areas where you can eat with your family and friends.
The park has a bar and restaurant if you get hungry. If you like water sports, you can rent kayaks and paddle boards. The park is also a great place for special events. You can even rent "The Lodge" for parties or weddings!
When Can You Visit?
The park is open for visitors all year long, every day. However, you can only swim at the beach during the summer months. The beach opens for swimming around Memorial Day weekend and closes after Labor Day weekend. During these times, the beach is open from early morning until sunset, seven days a week.
There is a small fee to park your car, which is $7. If you are active military and show your ID, the fee is $5. Motorcycles also get the $5 rate. Good news for older visitors: if you are 62 years or older, you can enter the park for free from Monday to Friday! The park also accepts special passes from New York State, like the Empire Pass and Access Pass.
Images for kids
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View of Woodlawn Beach in 1896.
