Beauty to the east
The weather wasn't supposed to be very nice today. Scattered showers were forecast all day. But instead, the day dawned sunny and warm, a perfect day to get out and do some exploration. My husband decided to join me this time, and we headed east toward Ontario.
The three parks we explored this morning, while not in Monroe County, are still close enough for east-siders to easily enjoy. And I have to say, if these parks were any indication, Wayne County really knows how to do their parks right.
Casey Park, Ontario
This is one big park. Casey Park is located on Knickerbocker Road, about one mile north of Rt. 104 and about three miles south of Lake. This park is clearly the center of the Ontario Recreation universe. For starters, the Ontario Parks and Recreation Department and the town's Community Center are both located here. Next to the Community Center are two huge indoor sports facilities which look big enough to host lacrosse and football games.
But the indoor facilities are only the beginning. Casey Park also has several soccer and baseball fields, and even a football field complete with goalposts and an announcer's booth. I suspect that one of the local schools plays here.
There are two playgrounds, one for younger children and one for older. The bigger playground is especially impressive, with slides taller than any other I have seen to date.
There's plenty to love about this park even if you aren't into sports or have a fear of heights. There are lots of picnic tables and grills, and a few nice pavilions, including one at the west end of the park tucked back into a beautiful wooded setting. The park sits on a pair of ponds, one smaller one to the east and one very long and skinny one which stretches almost one mile from Knickerbocker Road west to Ontario Center Road. There's a small guarded swimming area on the smaller pond, where you can also rent canoes and paddleboats. This would be a terrific place to bring the kids.
Hikers and bikers will also enjoy the one-mile long up-and-back Casey Harris Trail which runs the length of the long pond. We didn't have a chance to explore that, but look forward to bringing our bikes back another time.
The gallery below shows some of the park's features, including the pavilions, ball field, and toddler playspace.
Bear Creek/Thompson Park, Ontario
This little park, located on Lake Road between Knickerbocker and Furnace roads, was a delightful surprise. I say that in part because one of the park's nicest features is not even mentioned on the Town of Ontario parks website.
What the website DOES talk about is the park's boat launching facilities, made possible by its location on Lake Ontario at the mouth of Bear Creek. It also mentions the "large grassy area" along the lakeshore, "suitable for picnics or just enjoying the view of Lake Ontario."
That's where the description really comes up short. That grassy area is actually part of a very nice veteran's memorial. A gravel path leads up an embankment past a Navy memorial and small plaques embedded in boulders, with names of all the Ontario residents who lost their lives during wartime. The path leads to a flagpole and a striking Lake Ontario overlook.
It was incredibly peaceful. The lake today was as calm as I have ever seen it, and standing there gazing at it, I was reminded how lucky we are to live so near such an incredible natural resource.
This is probably my favorite pocket park so far.
On yeah, there was one negative. There's an outpost of the Ontario sewage treatment plant near the park entrance which absolutely stinks. Fortunately, the stench does not reach too far into the park, so you can get away from it pretty easily.
B. Forman Park, Pultneyville
Our third stop of the day took us to one of my favorite hamlets, Pultneyville. Before today, I had never actually stopped at Pultneyville, but have driven through countless times, and have seen how charming it is.
B. Forman Park is another big (25 acres), absolutely beautiful park, located east of the hamlet on Lake Road. It features large expanses of lawn, four pavilions, a beautiful lodge simply called "The House," a ball field, shuffleboard courts, volleyball net and a small playground.
B. Forman's facilities remind me a lot of Webster Park. But I dare say its beauty surpasses Webster Park. Both have picturesque rocky lakeshores, but B. Forman's stately trees, walking bridges and wide grassy expanses give the park an idyllic feel. There's also history here; a nearby historical marker indicates that this location (probably "The House") was a terminus for the Underground Railroad. Another display points out a sunken ship not far off the coast.
This park's location in cute little Pultneyville is a bonus feature. After visiting the park, I suggest you head back into the town, park near the harbor area, have a coffee and a sandwich at the deli, or maybe a pint at The Landing restaurant. We're talking a great day trip for the family.
This park has officially won my heart and become another favorite.