We will meet at the Erie Canal Boat Company at 7 Liftbridge Ln W, Fairport NY 14450 at 3:45 pm for a leisurely exploration of the Erie Canal. The parking lot is spacious with flush toilets onsite.
Hike – This hike starts and ends in Fairport on the paved canal path, (not Ayrault Rd as hiked in previous years). At this time, we cannot provide a detailed description of what to expect, but we note the extensive article on Wikipedia. From the parking lot turn left to follow the canal eastward to Palmira, a quiet section; or right toward the active Pittsford area Everyone should be mindful of the time and turn around at 5:00 pm to meet back up at 6:00pm.
Paddle or Bike – Bring your own or rent from the Erie Canal Boat Company: single kayaks $35 for 2 hrs, tandem kayaks for $45 per 2 hours, and bicycles for $30 for 2 hrs. If renting, preregistration for equipment rental is recommended. The Erie Canal Boat Company also offers adaptive kayaks and bikes for those with special needs.
The Bikers will head east, under the lift bridge and along the Canal as far as Waynesport Rd. At that point (about 5 miles), we will turn around and head back to the bridge to the old trolley path. We will cross the canal and ride the trolley path as far as our legs and time permit. This path goes by several neighborhoods in Perinton.
Social – We’ll enjoy a canal-side dish-to-pass social next to the Erie Canal Boat Company. They will allow us to use their mini-park with 4 or 5 picnic tables, along with a shaded area to sit under Bring a dish to pass, your own beverage and some lawn chairs.
Directions to the Erie Canal Boat Company and boat launch: The Boat Company is located in a Fairport public parking lot on the west side of NY Rt 250 (AKA Fairport Nine Mile Point Rd, AKA Main St in Fairport). The entrance is 400 ft north of the bridge, directly opposite the RV&E Bike Shop on east side of Rt 250. Google Maps is accurate. Set to 7 Liftbridge Ln W, Fairport NY 14450. Phone 585-748-2628.
From Springwater, Naples and Honeoye: From Springwater take Wheaton Hill Rd to Canadice Rd, to Ontario County Rd 37. From Naples, take CR 36 (West Lake Rd) to Honeoye. From Honeoye, take US 20A west to CR 37. From the corner of CR 37 and US 20A, head north through W Bloomfield. At the light, continue straight onto NY 65. Outside W Bloomfield, continue straight onto CR 35. The road becomes CR 66 (W Bloomfield Rd) in Monroe County. You will cross NY-251 (Rush Mendon Rd) – continue straight for 4 miles. Turn right onto Thornell Rd. After 2.4 miles, turn right on NY-96. At the second light, turn left onto Kreag Rd. At the other end of Kreag Rd, turn right onto Ayrault Rd. At the first light, turn left onto Mosley Rd (NY-250). After you cross the canal and before you cross the railroad track, turn left into a parking lot behind the businesses. The meeting place is on the far end of the parking.
From Canandaigua: The simplest directions are: Take the Thruway to Exit 45 (I-490) Stay on I-490 to exit 26 (NY 31). Turn left onto NY 31 East. At the light, turn left onto Ayrault Rd. At the second light, turn left onto Mosley Rd (NY-250). After you cross the canal and before you cross the railroad track, turn left into a parking lot behind the businesses. The meeting place is on the far end of the parking.