IRONDEQUOIT, N.Y. -- Irondequoit Bay State Marine Park is a hot spot on a summer’s day. From boating to the beach, there’s something to do. For Paul McFadden there’s another draw. “Fishing is our top priority out here,” said McFadden.
Sunday his spent the day near the water with his kids. “It’s a great family based environment,” he continued.
The warm weather brought out tons of families from across the county and region. “I love it," said Mary Seeber." It’s beautiful. I come down here to relax and unwind.”
There are many reasons to visit the park, but Seeber and others said there’s a clear problem.
"The parking detours me a lot of times. We just ride through and there’s no where to park and I don’t get to enjoy the festivities of everything so I just ride on through,” said Seeber.
“Parking is difficult," said Pittsford resident Anthony O’Heron. “There’s a lot of your car will be towed signs.”
The parking woes will hopefully get addressed through the efforts of a feasibility study. The state divvied out $100,000 as well as the Town of Irondequoit for the initiation of the Irondequoit Bay State Marine Park Facility improvements planning process. It will help determine what upgrades could be made. Town Supervisor Adam Bello said parking is at the top of that list.
“It can sometimes frustrate people coming down to visit the businesses. We’re known for hot dog row. We have the Sea Breeze Amusement Park down here, and a lot of great restaurants. I think if we had more parking opportunities it will be more opportunities for people to come down here," said Bello.
It doesn’t stop there. Bello said they’re also considering a board walk, kayak rentals, canoe and other boat rentals.
“Access to the water ways is important. Irondequoit is unique in that we’re surrounded by water on three sides. We really are a waterfront community, but there’s very little access for the public to access that water."
That’s the one thing Glen Webster hopes to see. “I would like to see access across the bay, where boats can get through and people can also get through," said Webster.
Making sure it’s a family friendly atmosphere is also being addressed. Bello said they’re looking into adding pavilions, picnic tables and a playground.
“We believe that a family based park area that would allow families to come out here and participate in activities that aren’t on the water will be a bit more feasible,” continued McFadden.
The planning stage should wrap up by the end of the year. At the beginning of 2016 the Town of Irondequoit will start securing funding to implement the project.
“This will help invigorate Sea Breeze, help bring more people down, give them more things to do down here, and help us take full advantage of what we have,” continued Bello.