Created 1999 (1999) | Area 288 acres (1.17 km) Nearest city Rochester | |
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Operated by Town of SodusNew York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Similar Sayville National Wildlife R, Clinton House, Haverstraw Beach State Park, Bristol Beach State Park, Conesus Lake Boat Launch | ||
Beechwood state park
Beechwood State Park is a 288-acre (1.17 km2) state park located on the shore of Lake Ontario in the Town of Sodus in Wayne County, New York. The park occupies land that was formerly the site of a Girl Scout camp. The park is owned by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and is currently operated by the Town of Sodus under an agreement with New York State.
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History
In 1929, the Girl Scouts of the USA purchased approximately 150 acres (0.61 km2) of land bordering Lake Ontario, where they subsequently built Camp Beechwood. The park was used by the Girl Scouts and other youth organizations for camping and outdoor activities until financial pressures forced the camp's closure in the late 1990s.
In 1999, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation purchased the property with plans to develop a New York state park at the site. Budget shortfalls led to the park being designated as a "preserve", and formal development of the park by the state never materialized. Former camp buildings and facilities remained at the park, but were allowed to decay.
The park was expanded in 2006 after the state purchased an adjacent 146-acre (0.59 km2) parcel of land.
In 2010, the Town of Sodus took over management and operation of the park after signing a long-term lease with New York State. The town has since repaired and secured buildings and cleared trails to create a more formal park setting.
Park description
Beechwood State Park features approximately 1,500 feet (460 m) of shoreline along Lake Ontario. The narrow pebble beach has been impacted by erosion and is littered with a number of trees that have fallen from the adjacent bluffs.
The park also features several miles of mowed hiking trails, a picnic pavilion, and several small shelters. Fishing and canoeing access to the adjacent Maxwell Creek is also possible from the park.