Metro Parks to dedicate boat trail
Alison Dietz | The Chronicle-Telegram
A 27-mile boat trail from the Vermilion River Reservation to the Black River Reservation will be officially dedicated later this summer.
It will start at Mill Hollow in the Vermilion River Reservation. From there, it will take the
Along the trail, there will be markers denoting miles traveled, places to launch and areas of interest, including picnic areas, playgrounds and historical sites.
“It’s another way to use our natural resources and experience it in a different way,” said Pat McCaslin, of the Lorain County Metro Parks.
Ray Farley of Great Lakes Kayaking in
“Everyone who has taken the trip has said, ‘Wow, I never knew all that was back there,’” Farley said.
Creating a water trail is much simpler and less expensive than creating a hiking trail.
The only improvements needed along the trail are cleared ramps for launching the boats and parking areas near those ramps, McCaslin said.
To keep canoes and kayaks safe, a map of the trail will denote boating hazards like low water or log jams, though these hazards are few.
With rain levels where they have been this summer, low water is not common, but in drier years, water-goers may find themselves have to portage their boats.
Hazards and advisories will also be posted on the parks’ Web site.
Canoeing and kayaking groups in the area already use the waterways for recreation but they are excited to get other groups involved in one of the fastest growing recreational sports in the country, McCaslin said.
“It’s great exercise and a bit of adventure,” Farley said. His rental shop is one of the launch points along the trail. Interested kayakers can rent single or double kayaks by the hour, though they won’t be able to kayak the whole trail in a day.
Recreational kayakers paddle at about a mile per hour, according to Farley. And they won’t even travel that far if they stop along the way to picnic or sightsee.
Contact Alison Dietz at 329-7128 or metro@chroniclet.com.
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Filed by Alison Dietz | The Chronicle-Telegram July 18th, 2008 in Local and State. Popularity: 5% |
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