Long Point Park is a lovely little park on the western shore of Conesus Lake and has been a family fun destination for over 150 years. The park is one of the great places to go swimming at Conesus Lake. Visitors to the park enjoy the large beach and picnic facilities, all while taking in the beauty of one of the most popular Finger Lakes.
History of Long Point Park
Since 1844, Long Point Park has been a place for families to gather and enjoy Conesus Lake. In the mid-1800s, the park was a popular destination for picnics and amusements, an early predecessor to modern-day amusement parks. The rides were nothing like the elaborate rides in today’s amusement parks. Mainly things like merry-go-rounds, a toboggan slide, and giant teeter-totters. The park was upgraded over the years with better rides, a miniature golf course, an arcade, and a skating rink. However, in 1988, the park was devastated by a fire.
In 2004, the park took on new life and became the beautiful and picturesque destination that it is today.
Beach
During the swim season, lifeguards are on duty, and they are sections roped off for young children to swim. The beach is quite large, and there is lots of room to spread out and sunbathe. There is also a playground for kids to use up some of that energy.
Kayaking/Canoeing
We love finding places where we can launch our canoes and enjoy the water. This park is an excellent place to launch canoes and kayaks. The water is shallow in this area, which makes getting in and out super easy. This is not a good place for first-time kayakers and small children kayaking as Conesus Lake has a great deal of boat traffic. Also, make sure that you have life jackets or floatation devices, as there is a mobile police station at this park.
Pavilions
There are several picnic pavilions at the park, as well as grills and picnic tables. These pavilions can be rented. A lovely gazebo is a perfect setting for pictures or just a place to relax and take in the Lake. This park is large and provides lots of room to spread out. There are also bathrooms on site.
The Phantom Indian Legend
Long Point Park is also the center of a legend that has been told and continues to be told about Conesus Lake for almost 100 years. The legend has several versions, but the most famous is of a phantom Indian who appears on the lake in a birch canoe calling for help. This legend was later proved to be a hoax, created by Colonel S. Tooey to help promote tourism on Conesus Lake. Colonel Tooey was influenced by how successfully the Silver Lake Serpent bolstered the tourism on Silver Lake and wanted to create that same prosperity on Conesus Lake.
Getting To Long Point Park
The park is located along West Lake Road at Long Point Road.