Paddling Ellison Park is one of the most relaxing and enjoyable ways to spend the day. Almost nothing compares to the feeling of floating on the water. Ellison Park is one of our favorite spots to kayak. The water is calm and has minimal current. The loveliness of the surrounding environment can’t be beat.
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My favorite part of the park to kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddleboard is where the creek begins to turn into the bay. This part is full of walls of cattails which create a series of natural canals. It is really unique to kayaking in this area, and it is also incredibly peaceful.
Wildlife
Irondequoit Creek, which runs through Ellison Park, offers fantastic canoeing and kayaking. It also offers an opportunity for my favorite activity, up close and personal animal encounters. I have seen amazing animals in this park, such as beavers and swans. (Didn’t have my camera with me when I saw the beavers, so, unfortunately, I have no photos to share with you.)
I should probably also add a bit of a warning. Swans, and to an only very slightly lesser extent, geese, are very protective and territorial of their young. We didn’t have to get very close before they were puffing up, spreading their wings, hissing, and honking, and staring menacingly at us in a very threatening manner. A performance is known as busking. So, my words to the wise, tread carefully. These birds look pretty from a distance, but up close, they are beasts! These are the steroid-pumped rock jocks of the bird world. Just give them a wide berth, and you should be fine.
As for the beavers, they didn’t bother with us at all, and we had to paddle right past them. We even stopped to watch them for a few seconds. Once again, wild animals need to be treated with respect. There really is no telling what they will do if cornered or threatened. I can tell you right now; they swim a lot better than you.
Rentals
If you don’t own your own kayak, canoe, or paddleboard, you can rent them from the nearby Bay Creek Paddling Center. They sell, rent, and give lessons on all of the various watercraft.
Groupon for Bay Creek Paddling Center
Have you paddled in Ellison Park or Irondequoit Bay before? See any cool animals while you were there? We would love to hear from you. Please leave us a comment below.