Site Highlight: Presque Isle Lagoon Area Picnic Spot
Entrance Sign
We recently found a great spot at Presque Isle State Park, and wanted to share it with all of you!
Lagoon Viewing
In searching for a place to enjoy our dinner at the beach, we found an incredible location we just have to tell you all about it! This area is serene, romantic, and truly majestic. The sounds of nature fill the air like music, and the peaceful tranquility of the lagoons of Presque Isle will leave you with a calming feeling.
Kayaks
There are plenty of picnic tables and a viewing deck for the lagoon, which has benches for you to relax on. You could even set up a great picnic on the viewing deck, if you wanted to.
One of many picnic tables
We picnicked at the table right by the viewing area, and enjoyed watching kayaks and small pontoons travel through the waters.
Boats passing through
There is ample room for parking in the designated lot, and plenty of picnic tables stationed throughout the area. Charcoal grills are provided if you would like to use them.
Ample Parking
We’ve included a map below, to try and give you an idea of where the Lagoon Area Picnic Spot is located. If you search “Evening Lagoon by Pontoon” in Google Maps, it will take you to the general area.
Location
Again, we really enjoyed this spot. Having grown up in Erie and been to Presque Isle so, so many times, this outing was the first time we had ever seen this area! If you’re looking for places to eat at Presque Isle, this could be a great spot for you! We hope you check it out and love it just a much as we do!
[Note: This is a Site Highlight post, a short and sweet yet informative look at a place within a place.]
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[Editor’s note: Please be aware that we are not affiliated with Presque Isle in any way. This is true of all of our posts. We simply enjoy wandering around the Erie area as we know finding what to do in Erie, PA can be hard.]
Have you ever gone somewhere assuming it’s one thing, but being completely surprised by what you find there? That’s what happened to us when we went to Freeport Beach in North East, PA.
Location:
Freeport Beach is located at 1 Freeport Road, North East, PA 16428. Freeport Road is Route 89, so if you get off of the highway and head towards town, you literally do not have to make any turns to get to the beach. Just go straight, pass through town, keep going a bit more, and you will end up there.
Property Description:
We went to this park not knowing what to expect, and it took us by surprise! Not only does it have plenty of beach access, but also a playground, picnic pavilion, a volleyball net, plenty of benches, and public restrooms.
The beach access is simple, yet enchanting. There’s a short sand area that then melts into rocks and pebbles which the waves crash into. It’s a great combination for everyone; we had members of our group sit on the benches in the sand, some on the rocks (skipping rocks, of course), and some walking along the water.
What to Do:
Freeport Beach has something for everyone in the family to enjoy. The kids will love playing on the playground equipment right off of the beach. Adults will enjoy the benches all throughout the park as well as the ability to lay towels or blankets out on the sand to catch some rays. And the fact that there’s a bathroom within the park is a positive for everyone!
You can swim on this beach as a lifeguard is typically on duty from 12 p.m. until sunset. As with any other beach, we would not recommend swimming unless the lifeguard is present.
If you’re looking for places to watch the sunset in Erie, PA, we think Freeport Beach should be on your list. The sunset will be slightly angled here, but it is beautiful nonetheless. The benches along the beach are great for relaxing or even snuggling close if you’re on a date; not to mention you don’t have to go on the sand if you don’t want to in order to enjoy the sunset.
Who Can Go:
This is a beautifully laid out park, with space for everyone to get around. There is a mat laid out for easy access to the shore, and various areas to stop and take a load off of your feet. We did not bring our stroller, but walking on the mat that is provided made us realize that it would be easy to push a wheelchair or stroller to the end of the mat if you wanted to get a closer view of the water.
While dogs are welcome at the park in general, they are not permitted on the beach. We were kind of bummed because we actually had a pup with us, but the benches and other areas of the park gave some of our group something to do while the others were on the beach.
Final Thoughts:
Freeport Beach in North East, PA is a great place to spend the whole day at. With a few food options available up the road, we could easily see how this park could be an all day affair. Enjoy a picnic lunch, play a game of volleyball, relax on the sand, take a swim, play on the playground, and end your day with a beautiful Lake Erie Sunset.
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[Editor’s note: Please be aware that we are not affiliated with Freeport Beach in any way. This is true of all of our posts. We simply enjoy wandering around the Erie area as we know finding what to do in Erie, PA can be hard.]
We’re coming to find that there are many different lake access points in the Erie area, such as Shorewood Park and Walnut Creek Marina. Elk Creek Access is not only one of these Lake Erie access points, but a great spot to visit!
Location:
You’ll find Elk Creek Access at the end of Elk Creek Road, Lake City, PA 16423. We’ve included a map below to help you figure out where the destination is.
Brought to you by Google Maps
Property Description:
This is beach and water access, near homes and summer cottages. There’s not a ton of space to park, but you should be able to find a spot being that this is a pretty unfilled area when it comes to outside traffic. You’ll find a little sand, but it is mostly rocks and pebbles on the beach.
What to Do:
There is no lifeguard available, so we would advise staying out of the water for swimming purposes. We did dip our feet in, walk along the edge, and look for beach glass, and we found so many pieces! This beach was full of it, so we highly recommend coming here if collecting beach glass is something you like to do. We heard the best time to pan for beach glass is after a storm, so this may be the perfect place to come the morning after one of Erie’s nighttime thunderstorms.
Beach glass among rocks and pebbles
Our beach glass haul
We are sometimes lucky enough to view things that we wouldn’t even think of, and our trip to Elk Creek Access was one of those times. A couple of guys had brought their dog, who they were teaching how to retrieve in the water. The kids loved watching him run back and forth, and it got us thinking that this beach in particular is probably a great place to bring your dog to play because it is definitely not a busy as some of the other beaches in Erie, such as Presque Isle.
If you’re looking for the best place to watch the sunset in Erie, add this to your list of options. We did come to this beach at sunset, and noticed that although there were still people there, the actual beach itself wasn’t very busy. The people who live in the area were watching, but mainly from their own property; we saw roughly 3 groups besides ourselves on the beach.
Who Can Go:
All are welcome at this beach and creek access point in Lake City. This is definitely a cozy place for a date night in Erie, but it’s also a great place to hang out with your family and friends or bring your dog to run and play. You do have to walk across rocks, so it’s not most easily accessible place to visit if you want to get close to the water.
Be aware that there is some private property in this area, so not all points are accessible to the public.
Final Thoughts:
We really enjoyed our evening at Elk Creek Access. We highly recommend this beach if you are looking for beach glass in Erie, PA and the area surrounding the lake.
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[Editor’s note: Please be aware that we are not affiliated with Elk Creek Access in any way. This is true of all of our posts. We simply enjoy wandering around the Erie area as we know finding what to do in Erie, PA can behard.]
After taking the time to wander Brown’s Farm, we needed a simpler plan. It’s one thing to enjoy the summer heat, the sun, and longer trails, but when fall starts to creep around the corner it is important to enjoy the summer before they’re gone for the year. That’s why we headed down to Lake Erie Community Park.
Location
Lake Erie Community Park is a small park in Lake City, PA. It is located at 10192 West Lake Road in Lake City, PA 16423. It has recently been renovated. It used to be full of campers and seasonal living, but those have been removed which makes this an ideal location to enjoy peace and quiet, events, using the baseball field, or just taking a walk. It is also conveniently located right on the water, so many people enjoy ice cream from the also conveniently located Dairy Oasis right at the entrance to the park.
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Property Description:
The property itself is a simple one, but has ample space. In addition to the already mentioned items, there are benches facing the water with a beautiful view from the cliffs to the lake down below. There is also a pavilion for events. Technically there are 4 pavilions, each with grills, electrical outlets, water, etc. – but only one pavilion has walls and can hold more than 180 people.
Things to do:
In addition to the baseball field, there is a lot of walking space. This location technically has a west side to the park, with some trails and the ability to actually get down to the water. All in all, the park is 125 acres. Dogs are welcome (but as always, you are responsible for them and any cleanup you may need to do). Besides hosting parties, weddings, graduations, and more, there is also a playground for children to play. This is also another popular destination for photography, as the views of the trees and nature, combined with the cliffs and the lake, make for a photogenic location.
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Who Can Go:
If you are looking for an opportunity to get out to an area of privacy, this is a location for anyone. It’s a simple park, but the views and opportunity to find a quiet location are enough to bring anyone down to relax.
Final Thoughts:
Whether you grab ice cream, have an event to celebrate, want to play on the baseball field or at the playground, or just want to see nature, this is a simple location. In times where social distancing is the norm, this is a great location because it’s not often overcrowded, and it tends to be a little more hidden compared to some of the parks and playgrounds where children can usually go. But, whatever your purpose, this is definitely a spot to check out and bring your friends or family, whether younger or older.
Interested in finding out about more parks in Erie? Click here.
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We had a ton of fun being spectators at the Erie Ultimate Disc Dogs event (which are still going on, so be sure to check them out!), it was time to let our toddler run around and explore. For that reason, we headed to Avonia Beach in Fairview, PA. We were also strategic in choosing a day after a storm for a handful of reasons.
Location
Avonia Beach Park can be found somewhat easily. Find Avonia road which cuts through Fairview, PA, and then head north. There isn’t technically an address that we could find, but there are many signs. You will also know you are there when you’ve reached the parking lot as well as where trout run empties into the lake.
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Property Description:
The property itself has a decent sized beach. This is yet another way to get into the water without having to fight some of the larger crowds of Presque Isle. And if you are out in the west county area, this is a quick place to get to without needing to head down into the heart of Erie.
There is a long beachhead which stretches nearly 1,000 feet. And, though this isn’t the miles and miles of Presque Isle, it is certainly a great place to enjoy the waves and breeze if you are trying to have some privacy and maintain social distancing.
Things to do:
This access to the lake is not only a great place to enjoy sights, but it is a place to fish or swim. However, because fishing is allowed along trout run and at the beach, please be cautious when swimming as there could be lures. This is probably not a beach to travel on with bare feet, but wading in the water with shoes or crocs is completely doable.
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We specifically chose to come out to this beach the night after a rainstorm (and it was still raining at the time) to look for beach glass! The rains and storms cause enough disruption in the lake that stones and glass are pushed around and have a better chance of floating into the shore during higher tides.
It also just so happens that if a toddler is going to splash in the water anyways, it doesn’t matter if it’s lightly raining outside! Just remember to bring a towel!
Another item to note is that there is a house available for renting. The Brugger house is a popular place to host parties for graduation, wedding receptions, showers, and more. Just contact Fairview Parks and Recreation at 814-474-5077.
Who Can Go:
This is a great spot for anyone in the family. The access to this beach can be a little harder to get to the water because there is a lot more rocks mixed in with the sand than in some places. However, you can park literally just feet away from the beach itself, so as far as accessing the beach – it’s not going to be hard to get to it. There are also benches and places to sit just off of the beach which make this have availability for all to enjoy the water.
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In addition, there are plans in the works to install a viewing platform over trout run, and to have a handicap accessible fishing platform, so anyone can find something to do here when it comes to the water, and more accessibility and additions are on the way.
Final Thoughts:
Besides just the water itself which could be for splashing, swimming, or fishing, this is a quiet park with ample wildlife. In addition to the Brugger house for possible rental, this is a place where some can come and just walk and talk, take photos, skip rocks, or hunt for beach glass. If you are looking for a place to go when it comes to the outdoors, this is another place to check out. It’s worth the drive if you aren’t on the west side of Erie, Pa, and if you’re already out there it’s a quick spot to get away and enjoy the view while passing the time for anyone in the family.
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We love exploring local parks, so when we found out about Erie County Park Bingo, we gathered up information and wandered some parks so we could let you guys in on the fun!
Park Bingo gives you the opportunity to explore nine different parks in Erie County. These parks include Pleasant Ridge Park, McClelland Park, Eaton Reservation/Bull’s Dam, Lake Erie Community Park, Headwaters Park, 6 Mile Creek Park, Frontier Park, Corry Junction/Greenway Trail, and Asbury Woods at Browns Farm.
Each park you visit of the nine will have a wooden letter tag hanging from a tree near the entrance. All you have to do is take a selfie with each tag and email ALL of them AT ONCE to kcurrier@erieconservation.com by September 30, 2020! If you send them in, you’ll be entered into a raffle of $200 worth of local gift cards! So, let me get this straight, they want us to go have fun at some parks while exercising PLUS give us the opportunity to win gift cards?! Sign me up!
Above are the Park Bingo cards and rules. If you can’t find the letter for some reason, feel free to take a selfie with the park sign pictured on the bingo card. And if you don’t want to take selfie, that’s completely fine; you can use the same item in every photo, or even your dog if you’d like! We chose to use our hand sanitizer; we thought it was fitting for this era we are living in!
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After spending some time at the Goodell Gardens and Homestead where we wandered through the flowers, paths, and trees, we decided it was time to hit one of the more popular destinations in Erie, Pa. We strategically planned what we thought would be a great time and day, and headed down to Presque Isle State Park. With many activities to do and many different biomes all on the peninsula, this is an interesting area to spend some time wandering.
Location
Presque Isle State Park is a 3,200 acres peninsula full of sand, woods, trails, and roads. If you go to Peninsula Drive in Erie, then just head north and you will find yourself at the park in no time at all. Because this park is literally on the water, be aware of seasonal weather. It can be more than a few degrees cooler on the peninsula than even a mile or two inland. This is a day-use only park, but there is a lot to pack in during a day.
Property Description:
There are about 9 miles of beaches, a roughly 13-mile loop for those looking to run a half marathon. The pavement is smooth as evidenced by not only cars and motorcycles driving around, but the countless bikes, rollerblades, and longboards showed an excellent place to go. There are sidewalks and paved paths almost everywhere you go, and there are also running and biking trails that cut through the woods throughout the park as well. In addition to the beaches, there are multiple spots to launch a boat, walk on short boardwalks and piers, or sit and watch the water.
Because this is a peninsula, on one side you face the city and can see all of the boats or water activity, as well as the skyline, in the harbor. And on the other side there are miles of beaches to explore where you can fairly easily find yourself in a wide-open space. In an age of social distancing, it may take a few minutes but finding space along the beach is very achievable.
It’s also important to know that this peninsula has a lot of sand. This isn’t just talking about the beach. This is important to note because if you find yourself at Presque Isle during or after a rain storm, there can be pockets of water in no time at all. We strategically tried to go in the morning following a rainstorm with the intent of discovering any beach glass, and we ended up finding potholes that contained as much as a foot of water in them.
Things to do:
There really are many activities to be done at Presque Isle. In addition to soaking up rays on the sand or heading for a swim, there are many people who just want to experience physical activity and a bit of nature. Remembering that Erie only gets a few months of summer sun, it seems like the whole county plus travelers try to pack on the beach. There are also activities like sand volleyball courts, picnic areas, and even a beach just for kites.
Throw in the inland activities and you can find anything from events, grills for cookouts, canoeing, and even big-wheeled water tricycles for rent. Speaking of items for rent, there are multiple locations either at the park or right before it where you can rent canoes and bikes.
In addition to the many people looking for exercise on the paths, there are those who run, jog, swim, and bike off of the main paths. As a word of caution, this beach is well known and gets popular for locals. We strategically tried to visit early, and despite being mid-morning on a Monday, we left slightly before noon and the cars were flooding in. Whether you are trying to run or bike without crowds, or you want to stake out a spot in the sand, going earlier means you have less traffic to fight and more space to take up.
In addition to the fun, this is an exciting place for those who love wildlife and birds in particular. Presque Isle is a national natural landmark, and they claim there are, “a greater number of the state’s endangered, threatened, and rare species than any other area of comparable size in Pennsylvania.”
Who Can Go:
While the specifics will depend on what you are trying to accomplish, this park is for everyone. In addition to the amazing possibilities, the paths, beeches, and different seating locations and sights are open for anyone. There is even a beach with handicap access for those who need additional assistance when walking over the sand. Throw in the fact that there is a popular ice cream and burger shop in Sara’s Restaurant right at the entrance to Presque Isle, and you can quickly see why this beach is always packed for about four months per year.
Final Thoughts:
The reality is there are multiple reasons to head to Presque Isle. There are so many reasons that we will probably be back shortly to try and document other days, temperatures, activities, and crowds. In a time period where social distancing is the norm, people continue to seek out less crowded locations where space is ample. Presque Isle is one of those places, and can offer many activities in a large area, while still being a peaceful location for the whole family.
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After spending a few different days picking fruit, including raspberry picking at Mason Farms, we got back into the parks and trails. We visited Waterworks Park, also known as the old Girard Borough Park, in Girard, PA. This is definitely a longer trail and one with large amounts of nature, multiple elements, and not a lot of competition for space when it comes to this social distancing season.
Location & Property Description:
The official park is located off of Lake Street, shortly before the high school if you are headed north, in Girard. Once you have turned to head down into the park, there are multiple access points and things to do. You first come to a pond at the bottom of the hill. This pond is suitable for fishing and includes a fishing pier, and while there you may be able to catch some wildlife here. There is also a small shelter in case of rain or wind.
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When you get to the fork, you can either head left to go down past the sewage treatment plant to find access to Elk Creek and a trail, or you can head right. By heading right, you can see one of the most popular sled riding hills in the area. This spot is always crowded in the winter. Continue driving down the path and you arrive at a one-way loop which circles around the multiple baseball/softball fields, which are popular during normal summer seasons.
If you follow the loop, you will also arrive at another access point to Elk Creek where you can fish, swim, or just take a walk along the water. There is also a picnic shelter which can be rented out by reservation, and there are bathrooms available as well.
Things to do:
Girard Waterworks park is certainly quiet. There are many acres and not a lot of crowds. It’s also important to know that they are pet friendly. You can fish (with the proper license), and in the winter individuals have been known to skate on the pond as well. (Please skate at your own risk, and verify whether the ice is completely frozen!)
In addition to the sights and activities you can do right within the park itself, it’s important to know that the park itself is the start of the Elk Creek trail. This trail follows along Elk Creek for about 1.75 miles, and makes for a peaceful jogging trail or biking trail out in nature. The other end of the trail comes out very close to Elk Valley Elementary school, where long distance runners can simply take lake street to jog back and make it a longer loop, or you can turn around and head back for a 3.5-mile run.
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While the exact amount of wildlife you will see is never predictable, there are many different birds, fish, and animals in this park. On the trails you can see multiple tracks, and there is ample evidence of nature. We saw a lot of very small frogs jumping around the stones by the water; make sure you watch your step! These guys are super tiny and easy to miss; please be careful not to hurt them!
Who Can Go:
There are some targeted activities in this park, so it really depends on what you want to do. In normal seasons, you can find organized activities like softball games being scheduled. In addition, there are spots to fish and swim. Jogging, biking, or running are also the case. And, while it makes the most sense to drive to the park, some individuals in the area will walk down as well from lake street. Keep in mind that the front portion of the park is paved and easy to navigate, but for the most part you are on a dirt and stone road. This can be great for joggers and mountain bikes, but this is not the long slow park for anyone with trouble walking or who may need assistance. Even by the water you don’t find sandy beaches, but rather many rocks. This is expected at a fishing creek or when you go swimming, but it’s probably best to be aware of this before you go.
Final Thoughts:
As long as you have a purpose to go to the Girard Waterworks park, then this is a great location to go. In addition, the park is so large that there is always space available. Whether you want to wander the dirt-paved roads, the trails, or just sit by the water, it certainly is a great location to explore.
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After heading to Wintergreen Gorge and wandering the trails, it was time to find a new way to beat the heat. The past week has seen hot temperatures for Erie, with the weather continuing to rise into the high 70’s, and into the mid 80’s as far as the thermometer is concerned. That being said, we wanted to go to a place less crowded during this pandemic in order to maintain social distancing with the little ones. We decided on the Walnut Creek Marina in Fairview, PA.
Location:
Walnut Creek marina is easily accessible at 241 Manchester Rd, Fairview, PA 16415. The easiest wat to get there is off of state route, about 2 miles east of state route 98 in Fairview, PA. It is an actual marina with 72 slips. It is a popular area for boating, fishing, and jet skis. And while there are other services available for boating enthusiasts, boating was not our purpose. For more information on this, you can always call the facility at 814-833-2464.
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The reason we went to the marina was simply because there is beach access. While most in the area know of Presque Isle when they think of beaches, this one is far less crowded. Despite being smaller, there is still water access to do many of the things you would like on the beach, but you can do it without bumping into others every few feet.
Property Description:
The property itself has more than just access to the water. There are sandy areas, as well as areas with more stones and rocks, and even grass located throughout the property. All provide wonderful views of the lake. Be cautioned that the wind does provide a cool breeze, and it can be cooler down at the marina and by the water than it is in the rest of town. There is also ample parking, and access to Walnut Creek itself if you are looking to follow the creek south for whatever reason.
Boats in the Marina
Things to do:
Besides the actual boating or getting on the water, there is plenty to do. During our visit we counted multiple people just taking a walk. Suntanning is almost the default at a beach, and some individuals were just in lawn chairs enjoying the view while children built sand castles and splashed in the water. In addition, there were multiple people fishing off of the small-rock-piers, and heading up into Walnut Creek to fish.
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We also saw multiple dogs on the property and even in the sand and water. Due to the higher winds there were some kites in the air as well. Also, during our wandering, we found a few pieces of beach glass. However, we would recommend combing the beach first thing in the morning and after a night where there are storms, as that tends to uproot and move around any of the rocks to uncover treasure.
Who Can Go:
While the location is small, this is certainly a less popular destination. We were out in the middle of the day when the sun was high and the heat was strong. We won’t actually count all of the people there for boating because they really aren’t part of the crowd on the beach access if they were getting out on the water. That would mean we probably only saw a dozen or two other people in total. Certainly reasonable compared to the more popular and more crowded beaches in Erie, PA.
One of the many beautiful views you’ll find at this location
Final Thoughts:
This location really is a simple one, but sometimes that’s all you need. Taking your children (or just yourself) to walk the water line has every benefit here as it does at any other beach. The size may be smaller, but that means less crowds and less noise pollution. For that reason, it made sense to see most of the individuals there just sitting in lawn chairs or on beach towels. We also saw a few different clusters of individuals. It looked like there were more than a few people on dates, holding hands while walking and talking. We also saw a few small families who were trying to let their children play. And we even saw some people who brought their lunch or ice cream down with them and were eating right up on the water as well.
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This location is at worst something to do and explore which will get you out of the house and give yourself, your kids, or whoever something to do for at least a few hours. At best, this is a gem of a location that offers many of the same luxuries and amenities as other popular beaches in the area, but with almost no crowd whatsoever. Plus, while the tourists come from miles away just to visit Presque Isle and the surrounding areas, this location seems almost empty by comparison. As long as social distancing guidelines are in place, and even if you just enjoy less crowds and more peace, the Walnut Creek Marina is definitely worth the trip to check out.
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