By Kate Bartlett
This Spring, visitors and locals alike can enjoy Chautauqua Lake utilizing the new the Bemus Point-Ellery Paddle Trail & Blueway. Developed by Mayor Jeff Molnar with generous funding from Chau-tauqua County’s bed tax/occupancy tax in-lake grant, this trail hopes to attract tourism to the area by facilitating and inspiring people to explore the lake by kayak or canoe.
Jeff has enjoyed kayaking with his wife for many years, especially on Chautauqua Lake, and was looking at different ways to promote eco-tourism to the area. “It just seemed like a natural fit,” explains Jeff. “Our lake has so much to offer, and exploring by a paddle craft is a great way to enjoy it.”
The Bemus Point-Ellery Paddle Trail & Blueway provides a 5.5-mile virtual trail along the Chautau-qua Lake shoreline starting near the Ellery/Ellicott town line and ending at Long Point State Park. The trail will be accessible via a QR code for paddlers to scan, providing a map and highlights of the area. “We have so many historical points of interest along the lake,” says Jeff. “This is a great way to highlight them as well as the launch accesses.” He’s also quick to point out that this is a virtual trail for all boaters’ use, with no in-lake markers, nor does it restrict any type of marine use. Jeff says “Intentionally, the trail dovetails perfectly with both the Village’s Strategic Plan and Chautauqua County’s Greenway Plan.”
This project is a joint venture between the Village of Bemus Point and the Town of Ellery and wouldn’t have been possible without the generous funding from the Chautauqua County in-lake grant. “We’re incredibly grateful for this funding,” says Jeff. “It just wouldn’t be possible without this support.”
The virtual trail will also provide a link to the Bemus Point Business Association, helping promote local businesses and suggestions for unique places to visit. “This is a great way to highlight the business in our area,” says Jeff. “We have so many wonderful and unique local shops, restaurants and establishments that are just waiting to be discovered.”
Jeff is enthusiastic about this venture and reports success in other communities in Erie County such as the Buffalo Blueway on the Buffalo River. “We’re hoping to promote environmental awareness and ecotourism as this Trail will encourage people to enjoy all our area has to offer in the great outdoors. It also promotes a healthy lifestyle, being active, and motivating people to enjoy the lake in a different way.”
Along with this trail announcement, Jeff is excited to share the planned opening of a handicapped kayak/canoe launch at the NY DEC boat launch in the Village. “These long-awaited boat launch improvements, which also include new ramps and floating docks, are incredibly necessary. It helps make the lake more accessible to all. We’re grateful to the NYS DEC for their funding of this project, as well as to the Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth, who provided a grant to the Village as a contribution towards these improvements, which enhance our community and our region.”
In the near future, Jeff hopes that the Blueway will continue around the entire lake, highlighting the many wildlife management areas and historical points of interest like the old steamship routes of years past. “There’s so many possibilities,” says Jeff. “This opens the door to many outdoor adventures; it’s going to be great for our community.”
The Bemus Point-Ellery Paddle Trail & Blueway maps will be available at local businesses including those who rent paddle craft as well as the Chautauqua County Visitor’s Bureau, at the I-86 rest stops, and the Village of Bemus Point & the Town of Ellery (at their offices and on their web sites).