Grass Island off the north shore of Grand Island has long been a favorite among boaters, but this might be the last summer for the fun in the sun.

What You Need To Know


  • NYS Parks plan to preserve wildlife habitat at Grass Island includes rock barriers
  • DEC has given tentative approval
  • Residents have until July 2, 2020 to submit their comments on the proposal

Thanks to social media, this sandbar in the Niagara River has grown in popularity. There are Facebook pages dedicated to the social events in the shallow waters, including a concession boat and even bands, serenading the hundreds of boaters dropping their anchors.

"It's just a gathering of people where everyone wants to have fun and enjoy the weather," said Erin Present of Royalton.

Trevor Hillman of Niagara Falls said, "A lot of people love it. They love the atmosphere and everything. It's a nice place to hang out."

At times, it's gotten raucous with reports of excessive drinking and boats hitting each other.

A representative from state parks says it's all taken a toll on the wildlife. She says you can see part of the vegetation destroyed from jet skis and anchors being dragged through them. So those human factors, along with some natural ones like ice and waves, have eroded the habitat for the wildlife that live and breed in the reeds growing on the sandbar. That's why New York State Parks is planning to install rock reefs, add fill and plant more vegetation to bring life back to the area. The full plan can be seen here.

But that also means virtually no where shallow for recreation. Boaters think there are better ways to preserve it.

"I think there would be if they monitor it more. There are people who completely respect what this is. And then there are people who do not respect it," said Present.

Hillman added that he might like to see a permit fee to enjoy the area, and that way "you could put that back into funding wildlife somewhere else."

While the DEC has given a tentative approval to an updated plan that gives back some of the river to boaters, it’s still seeking public comment. So far 25 people have responded but the DEC didn’t specify if the comments were for or against the plan. State Parks says this is vital for river rehabilitation. And they hope to start construction in the fall.

Anyone who wants to weigh in has until Thursday to submit written comments to the address below.
Kerri L PICKARD-DEPRIEST
NYSDEC Region 9 Headquarters
270 Michigan Ave
Buffalo, NY 14203
(716)851-7165
DEP.R9@dec.ny.gov