Kershaw Park — Attraction in City of Canandaigua

During COVID, vacations will be different....however. This place had something that rubbed me the wrong way. Firstly... beautiful lakefront!!! Easy to walk, lots of picnic tables, pavilions, quick bite restaurants, and finally Kershaw Park. You pay to use the beach, the only place you’re “allowed” to swim in that are. However you’ll see people all over the area getting in the water as they please. $5/adult, $2/kid over 5, under 5 free. Not a lot of space to sunbathe or put your things, 2 smallish grassy areas along the beach. The swimming area also small. 3 30ft sections of roped off swimming. Today only 2 areas were open with 2 life guards. THE MAIN PROBLEM WITH THIS BEACH: the lifeguards have megaphones and are apparently in charge of letting every other person in the water that what they are doing is wrong, dangerous, and illegal. They shouted through their megaphones approximately every 2-3 minutes letting people know that might be trying to swim outside the dedignated area, or in kayaks, or leaving their boat in the crowd of them trying to swim to shore. It was confusing and stressful having them literally yelling at every passer by. The poor beach people had no clue what was going on. It would be cool if the lifeguards only have to watch the people in the water, you know, in front of them on the beach. I mean, I thought that’s what I was paying for. Not the strange entertainment of berating all people outside the area of our water.... which was definitely memorable. Probably a once and done...

It would be complete if there were some nicely capped off, gently rolling hills, with paths, pavilions and a carousel shaped building that has pie wedge sections and a kitchen area in the center to host local families and events as well as our visitors. It could be green and sustainable with geothermal heating/cooling, solar power and on demand hot water.

Perhaps the Community Endowment fund and some savvy politicians could work towards finally applying for eminent domain on the sad unfinished brownsfield that many willingly shared over the years so that all could come to the lake.

Just some thoughts from someone who cares about this community and the treasured lake that belongs to all around it.

Our future generations count on and deserve to have this storied land and lake kept pristine in better ways so their own children may also come to gather as past generations have. I think the folks who have given to the local Endowment fund would approve?

The lake; It used to be the heartbeat of this community.

Listen to it when it calls out as we allow them to over develop it for greed and profit, while those who pay the taxes for the roads and infrastructure to get there can no longer access it.

This comment is not meant to be angry nor sad. It is a bittersweet plea and a call out to those who can help make this change for the betterment of all and not just some.

Godspeed and God bless all in this...

First of all. I am local, and remember when there was an amusement park called Roseland here. The only objects left from that area are the cement bases for the little chair ride that went over the beach area.....I miss Roseland. Now there is a pathway that you may walk(dogs welcome, and I usually take my basset with me) that stretches over the northernmost part of Canandaigua Lake. This is about the only public are of the lake left now. It is pleasant. You can have a picnic, eat your lunch, read a book, etc. There are benches and it is well maintained. It is not a huge area. The city is having many issues with redevelopment along the lake right now. I do enjoy walking here, people are very friendly and usually your dog will make many...