Lake Ontario: B. Forman Park

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Description

Like many of the beautiful Lake Ontario parks in Upstate NY, B. Forman County Park is a wonderful family-gathering point and a beautiful spot to catch a sunset over the lake. With ample picnicking facilities, including a massive 80-person indoor pavilion, and plentiful stray benches and grills, it's no mystery why this park gets packed in the summer. Fully developed, the park has no trails or natural areas, but the beach is wide open and setting down a lawn chair to relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of the lake is a breeze.

Unfortunately, like many of the other parks, its beautiful beach is closed to swimming and all of its recreation opportunities are limited to land. One major reason for the closed access is that the municipal sewage line dumps just offshore to the west, rendering the water quality questionable at best. Despite signs that indicate "no swimming" it is not uncommon to see people wading in the water and children splashing around in it. Oops.

History

The earliest known history of this immediate area was in the late 17th century when French maritime explorers stopped at the mouth of Salmon Creek to trade with Native Americans (most likely the Seneca).

The village  that is now Pultneyville was first settled by Jacob Hallet, in 1808 on the assignment of creating a settlement for the land capitalist Sir William Pultney of England. 

The site of B. Forman Park was the property of farmer Samuel Cuyler, who opened his estate to the Underground Railroad movement as a terminus. From there, escaped slaves would board a ship captained by   Horatio N. Throop bound for Canada. The Cuyler home burned to the ground and the estate was eventually turned into a community park on June 25, 1955. The park was named after Benjamin Forman, a Rochester merchant and civic leader, who operated the B. Formans's department store (incorporated in 1912 and operated at 46 Clinton Avenue, Rochester).

Hiking / Trails / Exploration

There aren't any trails or natural areas. You can easily walk around the park if you'd like.

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: Walking the circumference of the park is less than half a mile.

Markings: None.

Maps: Interactive map

Interesting Stuff

WHY NO SWIMMING? — as stated above, the municipal sewage line dumps into the lake just offshore from the west side of the park. It is treated, of course, but after times of heavy rain not all of the flow is treated fully. Swimming could be hazardous to your health. Also, the water here is deep and murky. No lifeguards are on duty.

The St. Peter Shipwreck is located far offshore to the east of the park. Wrecked on October 27, 1898, and taking eight lives, this three-masted schooner was carrying coal to the Welland Canal when it was lost in a massive storm. You cannot see the wreck from the park, but experienced divers are free to take a boat out there and have a look.

Photography Tips

Medina Sandstone — Try to incorporate those red beach stones into the shot. When wet they take on a deeper color.

Sunsets — Because of the angle of the beach, sunsets are best (positioned more over the water) in mid-summer.

See the Articles and Message Board sections for more  photography tips.

Books

Links of Interest

Park and Pavilion Information
St Peter Shipwreck
Haunted Wreck of the St. Peter
Williamson-Pultneyville Historical Society
Preserving the Past in Pultneyville

Who to Contact

Wayne County
Buildings and Grounds / Parks
7312 Rt 31
Lyons, NY 14489
Phone: (315) 946-5836
www.co.wayne.ny.us