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DeWitt Recreation Area

Kayak program keeps flowing at DeWitt Recreation Area

By Joanne Beck
kayak rental kiosk
A kayak rental kiosk still has some time left at DeWitt Recreation Area on Cedar Street in Batavia before the season closes. The kiosk provides everything for someone looking for a little fun on the water. 
Photo by Joanne Beck

Public Service Committee members passed along a grant of $7,000 for final approval Monday for the purchase of additional kayaks and accessories for the Youth Bureau’s kayaking program at DeWitt Recreation Area in Batavia.

Genesee County Highway Superintendent Tim Hens reviewed the program and grant during the committee’s meeting and said that although it’s an Interpretive Center/Youth Bureau grant award, it also “supports kayaking at the park.”

Kayaking is an activity that has been steady at DeWitt Lake, made even more popular with lessons offered twice a year by Conservation Education Program Coordinator Shannon Lyaski. 

Hens shared that his department will be seeking a replacement for Lyaski, whose last full-time day will be Oct. 14. The committee approved Hens’ request for a part-time, temporary position to allow her to remain until the vacancy is filled. 

It will be a loss for sure, Legislator Marianne Clattenburg said. 

“She grew so much in that job and really changed it,” Clattenburg said.

The request was to create one temporary, less than full-time (19 1/2 hours per week) Conservation Education Program Coordinator position to allow the current employee to assist with the transition.

Salary for Conservation Education Program Coordinator, Management, Grade 112, Step 7, would be at the rate of $29.48, effective October 7, 2023, through December 31, for a total cost of $8,308.69. 

Another reason for the increase in kayaking is a kiosk rental that took a bit longer than expected to arrive since first reported in The Batavian in May but is finally at DeWitt. 

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Rules are clearly listed on the kiosk, along with how to use it and access a brightly colored kayak and life jacket.
Photo by Joanne Beck

The set-up provides everything for someone to get a kayak, life jacket and paddle and get out on the water for some fun.  

“The feedback from the community has been positive,” Hens said.

The agreement between the county and the rental company is for a period of five years, at a total cost of $16,000, for the installation and activation of smart lockers, fully equipped with kayaks/lifejackets and locker signage. Kayak users would then pay a rental fee through the use of the kiosk that would go back to the county.

This park amenity expense will come out of the Capital Project DeWitt Improvements Phase IV, with $6,000 of this cost offset by a donation from the Association for the Conservation of Recreational and Natural Spaces (ACORNS), for a total cost of $10,000 to the county.

This latest grant that Hens reviewed on Monday is from the Youth Sports Education Funding, and once officially approved by the county Legislature, will increase the County Park Program Expense in the amount of $7,000 to be offset by an increase in Revenue in a like amount.

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Photo by Joanne Beck

Getting 'drawn in' to kayaking, nature, recreation at DeWitt in Batavia

By Joanne Beck
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A group of kayakers gives a "paddles up" before embarking on a two-hour tour of DeWitt Lake Saturday in Batavia. 
Photo by Joanne Beck.

There are times when a title won’t save you from your own worst fears.

And county Legislator John Deleo learned that when he climbed into a polyethylene kayak and slid out onto the water at DeWitt Lake.

“I’m terrified of the water,” he said on what was now his second or third time Saturday at the Cedar Street recreation site. “That's why I bought this special vest because I can be up on the water in case I fall in because I'm terrified of the water. I can't swim.”

Deleo and about six others, plus three county staff tour guides, gathered for the last guided experience of the season. Five people attended the morning session, Conservation Education Program Coordinator Shannon Lyaski said, as she and the others waited to see if anyone else of the 10 registrants would show before they shoved off for the two-hour excursion.

“Weather makes all the difference in the world,” she said as a few raindrops pelted the skin. “If it sprinkles, we’ll still go out. But if it thunders, we’ll get out of the water.”

Lyaski runs the guided tours a couple of times a year, and the first one was in May. For $25, participants get a life vest, kayak, general lesson on how to use it and two hours on the water learning about the lake and surrounding area and wildlife. 

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Tour leader Shannon Lyaski, left, smiles before taking her group around the lake Saturday at DeWitt Recreation Area on Cedar Street in Batavia. 
Photo by Joanne Beck.

“So this is a great place to try it for the first time because it's just a nice little small lake. You know, we had to be careful, we take every precaution that you need to, but generally, there's not a lot of surprises out there. We have these flat water kayaks, they're designed for casual use. And so we started out with the basics of sitting in the boat, getting in the boat, being comfortable in the boat, the basics of paddling, getting in and out of the boat and the basics of doing things,” she said. “It's not a race, we just take our time. We have two whole hours to explore the lake. We talk about the wildlife, we talk about the history of the site, we explore the little coves, and we look at different places where the water can go, like depending on how high and how low it can get. There's some neat stuff about the area and interesting things about the ecology of this park. So we go over that too.” 

Deleo said that he is gradually “getting drawn in” to kayaking moments before his craft glided out on the glassy water. Barb Matarazzo was in the same boat as Deleo, no pun intended, when she first began. She was afraid of the sport and the water, which quickly changed once she gave it a try.

Barb Matarazzo and John Deleo
Barb Matarazzo and John Deleo enjoy their time on the water in their kayaks despite having been "terrified" previously. 
Photo by Joanne Beck.

“Now I love it. I’m a pure participant and loving every minute of it, “ she said. “I don’t care how often you do this, you find something new every time.”

Although DeWitt Recreation Area is on the outskirts of Batavia, it isn’t forgotten, made evident by the group having a picnic at the pavilion, a person standing near the water casting a fishing line, some bicyclists, perhaps making a pit stop from the nearby Elliott Trail, and some kids dunking their feet into the water. 

A slab of cement near the boat launch is still waiting for a kayak rental kiosk, which was expected to be in place by June. That has been delayed, Lyaski said, and she wasn’t certain when it would be at the park. 

County Highway Superintendent Tim Hens had said the county is looking at the kayak rentals as “an opportunity to provide a recreational service to the community that also generates residual income and requires no county maintenance.”

The county Legislature approved an agreement for a period of five years, at a total cost of $16,000, for the installation and activation of smart lockers, fully equipped with kayaks/lifejackets and locker signage. Kayak users would then pay a rental fee through the use of the kiosk that would go back to the county. The concrete has been poured for the kiosk and is waiting for delivery.

In the meantime, if you’ve got your own kayak or plan to rent one, DeWitt Lake promises some “really cool features that have been added,” Lyaski said. 

“I like to point out all those big nice park benches at the end of the lake, where Ellicott Trail comes in off from Route 5,” she said. “That's not an accident. It's facing west, it's a beautiful view of the sunset on the lake.”

kayakers at DeWitt
Photo by Joanne Beck.

Photo: Still waters

By Howard B. Owens
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Still waters on Thursday afternoon at DeWitt Recreation Area. 

Photo by Nick Serrata.

GC parks and O-A Lions club announce free fishing weekend and derby

By Press Release
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FIle photo from 2016
Photo by Howard Owens

Press Release:

Join the Genesee County Parks along with the Oakfield-Alabama Lions Club and try out fishing at DeWitt Recreation Area on Saturday, June 24, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.! 

No fishing license is required. This is part of the NYSDEC’s Free Fishing Weekend, perfect for beginners! 

The program meets at Pavilion 2. Friendly guides will be on hand to assist you. Fishing gear and bait are provided or bring your own.

Hot dogs, chips, and water are for sale. All proceeds benefit the Oakfield-Alabama Lions Club. Kids up to age 16 can join the fun and get the chance to win a prize for catching the biggest fish, sponsored by the Oakfield-Alabama Lions Club! One lucky derby fisher will also win the door prize! 

This program is FREE!! Call 585-344-1122 to register, or walk-ins are also welcome.

Call 585-344-1122 to register. For more information, visit our website at http://www.co.genesee.ny.us/departments/parks/, or contact Shannon Lyaski at Shannon.Lyaski@co.genesee.ny.us or 585-344-1122.

Photo: Shiny lake at DeWitt Recreation Area

By Howard B. Owens
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It was a sunny, windless morning when Jason Smith took his morning run through DeWitt Recreation Area, and he captured this photo of a glassy lake in the park.

Want some water fun in Batavia? Just rent it, county legislators say

By Joanne Beck
rent.fun kayak rental
Potentially coming soon to DeWitt Recreation Area on Cedar Street in Batavia is a kayak rental kiosk, shown here in Havelock, NC, installed by Rent.Fun LLC, a company being considered by Genesee County. Photo from Rent.Fun website.

If you don’t think there’s fun to be had in Batavia, then look no further than the name of a company being considered for DeWitt Recreation Area on Cedar Street.

Genesee County legislators that make up the Public Service Committee reviewed a move Monday to obtain Rent.Fun LLC to set up a self-service kayak rental kiosk at DeWitt. Kayaking was identified in the county’s comprehensive recreation plan as a “need to be made available to the community.”

Genesee County Highway Superintendent Tim Hens and the deputy superintendent recommended that the committee approve the proposal for the county to enter into an agreement with Rent.Fun, LLC, located in Ann Arbor, Mich.

“There would be four (kayaks) available to rent from spring to fall,” Hens said to The Batavian. “The financial model is that the county would pay itself back on the investment, but we are looking at this as an opportunity to provide a recreational service to the community that also generates residual income and requires no county maintenance.”

The agreement would be for a period of five years, at a total cost of $16,000 for the installation and activation of smart lockers, fully equipped with kayaks/lifejackets and locker signage. Kayak users would then pay a rental fee through use of the kiosk that would go back to the county.

This park amenity expense will come out of the Capital Project DeWitt Improvements Phase IV, with $6,000 of this cost offset by a donation from the Association for the Conservation of Recreational and Natural Spaces (ACORNS), for a total cost of $10,000 to the county.

A final vote will go before the county Legislature in the next couple of weeks.

“If approved, the kayaks will be in place by mid-June,” Hens said.

In 2020-21, the county’s Chamber of Commerce Batavia Rotary Club and Youth Bureau worked together to put a $6,000 grant toward a new kayak launch at DeWitt and purchase kayaks for the Youth Bureau.

Photos: Rotary's Trick or Trot 5K at DeWitt

By Howard B. Owens

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With a course that encompassed the lake at DeWitt Recreation Area and took runners through two fall-colored cemeteries, the Batavia Rotary Club hosted its second Trick or Trot 5K on Saturday evening.

There were 61 runners in this year's contest, and Zak Jantzi (top photo in white shirt) won with a time of 18:05.

The top woman runner was Joanne Kachelmeyer (second photo) with a time of 21:31.

Photos by Howard Owens.

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Good Samaritan helps woman to safety at DeWitt after her kayak flips over in wind

By Howard B. Owens

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It seemed like a good day for fishing to Ron Beback, of Depew.

Beback was in town because he runs some horses at Batavia Downs.

He went to Horseshoe Lake first but the white caps on the water looked rough so he decided to switch plans and go to the DeWitt Recreation Area.

As he was unloading his gear at the shoreline, he saw a woman in a kayak.  On his next trip back, he noticed that the kayak had flipped over.

"The gentleman that was with her was yelling over to me, 'she's flipped over; can you go out to get her? Can you go out to get her,' and I was like, sure, let me get my life preserver on, so I ran up to my truck and got my life preserver."

By the time Beback reached her, she was tired, he said.  She was swimming against the wind, making no progress, and her life vest was slipping up over her head.

"I told her to hold onto the kayak and I'll paddle you over to the shoreline," he said.

He guided her to the island in the middle of DeWitt Pond.

Soon, City Fire and members of the Water Rescue Team arrived on scene and helped her back to the west side of the pond, where she was evaluated by medics.  She had no injuries, according to Batavia PD Assistant Chief Christopher Camp.

Camp said the wind had caused her kayak to overturn.

Photos by Howard Owens

PreviouslyCity rescue crews investigating report of kayaker in water at DeWitt

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City rescue crews investigating report of kayaker in water at DeWitt

By Joanne Beck

City fire rescue crews are on scene at DeWitt Recreation Area to investigate a report of a kayaker in the water.

A caller reported seeing a kayaker fall in the water, and the kayaker could not be seen at the time of the call. The kayaker was reportedly wearing a vest.

City police have blocked off the main entrance to the park on Cedar Street. There is no more information available at this time.

Photos: Family Outdoor Challenge Saturday at DeWitt

By Joanne Beck

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Genesee County Park member Lewis Tandy, left, goes over the different kinds of bugs to be found in nature with Cassidy, 3, her mother Rebecca Nigro and daughter Indiana, 5, during the Family Outdoor Challenge Saturday at DeWitt Recreation Area in Batavia.

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Genesee County Park Intern Amy McLaughlin, left, goes over the Family Outdoor Challenge information at DeWitt Recreation Area in Batavia.

Photos by Nick Serrata.

Kayak tours of DeWitt Lake available in July

By Press Release

Press Release

Batavia, NY – Seize the day with a guided kayak tour of DeWitt Lake! Join us Saturdays July 9th and 16th to explore the lake by water and discover a new world. Each day has 2 sessions. Session 1 takes place from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, Session 2 takes place from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

Meet at the boat launch at DeWitt Recreation Area. No experience needed, a beginner kayaking lesson is provided! Kayak rentals with life vests are provided or you may bring your own. Rentals are available for ages 12 and up, no tandems for rent.

Guided tour fee is $15/person without rental or $25/person with kayak rental per session. Pre-registration is required, call 585-344-1122!

For more information visit our website at http://www.co.genesee.ny.us/departments/parks/, or
contact Shannon Lyaski at Shannon.Lyaski@co.genesee.ny.us or (585) 344-1122.

Photos: Earth Day clean-up at DeWitt

By Howard B. Owens

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Troop Leader Melissa Sciortino holds a trash bag while Girl Scouts Lana, left, and Kennedy, gather garbage dropped on the ground by people at DeWitt Recreation Area in Batavia.

Also helping from Troop 60870 in Spencerport was Isabella.

The girls were earning badges for environment, hiking and wilderness.

The clean-up was part of the Genesee County Parks Department celebration of Earth Day at DeWitt.

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Public invited to celebrate Earth Day tomorrow at DeWitt

By Press Release

Press release:

Earth Day is your chance to give back to your community and take care of the earth!!

Join us at DeWitt Recreation Area in Batavia for the Earth Day Park Cleanup on Saturday, April  23rd from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Celebrate Earth Day and help keep the park beautiful and the habitat safe and healthy for wildlife! Learn to make cool things from recycled materials and enjoy a naturalist-guided hike to discover natural wonders in the park. Enjoy wild games and find out what you can do each day to help the earth! Service groups, students, 4H and scouts can earn community service hours and badge requirements. Meet at Pavilion 2 for all activities. Celebration and all activities are FREE and open to the public. 

Schedule of Activities:

  • 10:00 am – 2:00 pm Park Cleanup Projects: Make the park beautiful and healthy for wildlife!
  • 10:00 am – 2:00 pm Recycled Crafts 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Field Games for Kids 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Guided Hike

Celebration and all activities are FREE! Please pre-register for activities by calling 585-344-1122! 

ILGR announces first in-person fundraising event since beginning of COVID-19 pandemic

By Press Release

Press release:

Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) is excited to announce our very first in-person event since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic! Join us in celebrating the 31st anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act with our 2nd Annual Walk, Run & Roll!

The event takes place Monday, July 26, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Pavilion 2 of DeWitt Recreation Area, 115 Cedar St. in Batavia, rain or shine.

To register, go to runsignup.com/ilgrwalkrunroll.

For $25, participants can walk, run or roll the distance of their choosing. All participants receive an event T-shirt.

Food trucks will be present, plus a basket raffle, a 50/50 raffle and a caricature artist.

Please bring your own chair! COVID-19 guidelines will be followed.

For more information, call Donna Becker at (585) 815-8501, ext. 411.

Thanks to our sponsors: BW’s Restaurant and Banquet Facility, United Refining Company, RESTORE Sexual Assault Services, R.A. Haitz Co. Inc., Assemblyman Stephen Hawley, GEICO, Fidelis, National Grid and Ken Barrett Chevrolet-Cadillac.

Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) is a member of the Western New York Independent Living, Inc. family of agencies that offers an expanding array of services to aid individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.

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In the last year, we saved NYS taxpayers over $118 million by helping individuals leave or avoid institutionalization through practicing the principles of education, empowerment and equality for persons with disabilities.

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Second annual Walk, Run & Roll July 26 at DeWitt to mark 31 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act

By Press Release

Press release:

Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) is excited to announce our very first in-person event since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic!  Join us in celebrating the 31st anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act with our Second Annual Walk, Run & Roll!

The event takes place Monday, July 26, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Pavilion 2 of DeWitt Recreation Area, 115 Cedar St. in Batavia, rain or shine.

To register, go to runsignup.com/ilgrwalkrunroll.

For $25 participants can walk, run or roll the distance of their choosing. All participants receive an event T-shirt.

Food trucks will be present, plus a basket raffle and a 50/50 raffle will take place.

Please bring your own chair! COVID-19 guidelines will be followed.

For more information, call Donna Becker at (585) 815-8501, ext. 411.

Thanks to our sponsors: BW’s Restaurant and Banquet Facility, United Refining Company, RESTORE Sexual Assault Services, and R.A. Haitz Co. Inc.

Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) is a member of the Western New York Independent Living Inc. family of agencies that offers an expanding array of services to aid individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.

Free fishing and Kendra Haacke Memorial Fishing Derby at DeWitt June 26

By Press Release

Press release:

Join the Genesee County Parks along with the Oakfield-Alabama Lions Club and try out fishing at DeWitt Recreation Area on Saturday, June 26th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.! No fishing license is required, this is part of the NYSDEC’s Free Fishing Weekend. Perfect for beginners!

No experience required, friendly fishing guides will be on hand to assist you. Fishing gear provided or bring your own.

Kids up to age 16 can join the fun and get the chance to win a prize with the Kendra Haacke Memorial Fishing Derby, sponsored by the Oakfield-Alabama Lions Club!

This program is FREE!

DeWitt is located at 115 Cedar St. in the City of Batavia. Meet at Pavilion 2.

Masks are required for unvaccinated individuals when unable to maintain six feet of social distance. Participants are encouraged to wash hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer.

Call (585) 344-1122 to register or walk-ins also welcome.

Video: Sunscreen dispensers installed at DeWitt

By Press Release
Video Sponsor
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Press release:

Summer is quickly approaching and many children are eagerly waiting to hear the final school bell so they can enjoy a couple months of fun in the sun, including some family outings to the local park. New this year, families who forget to pack sunscreen at DeWitt Recreation Area won’t have to worry. 

United Memorial Medical Center (UMMC) and the Genesee County Parks Department are partnering to prevent park visitors from getting skin cancer. Through a grant provided to UMMC’s Healthy Living Program, five sunscreen dispensers have been installed throughout DeWitt Recreation Area for the 50,000 people who frequent it each year.

“Skin cancer rates are increasing every year,” said Laurie Thornley, UMMC’s Healthy Living manager. “It’s the country’s most commonly diagnosed cancer and it can be prevented. By putting these sunscreen dispensers in our local parks, we’re making sun protection more accessible. Sunscreen is a vital part of sun safety and we’ve put the solution right there for you in the park.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), five million people are treated for skin cancer in the United States every year; with 37 percent of U.S. adults reported having been sunburned in the past year.

“If you forget the sunscreen at home you don’t have to worry about burning your skin,” Paul Osborn, Deputy Highway superintendent. “We want the community to enjoy the many activities DeWitt Recreation Area has to offer, from fishing and kayaking to hiking and having a picnic, but to do so in a safe manner.”

This project is supported by Health Research Inc. and the New York State Department of Health with funds from the Centers for Disease Control.

Video: Rotary Club-backed kayak project celebrated at DeWitt

By Howard B. Owens
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Members of the Batavia Rotary Club along with officials from the county and city were on hand today at Dewitt Recreation Area for a ribbon cutting at a new dock/kayak boat launch on the pond.

The refurbished dock is the result of grants and donations put together by the Rotary Club in cooperation with the Batavia Youth Bureau and the County Youth Bureau. The project includes 10 kayaks that will be available for youth bureau programs.

The dock and fishing pier are also open to the general public and are ADA compliant. 

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