Lake DeForest Day -

Saturday, June 25, 2022 Rain or Shine! *

Lake DeForest Day is a family-friendly day of paddling and appreciating beautiful Lake DeForest in New City, NY. Join us for a Family Walk and 5K Fun Run over the causeway at Lake DeForest! The event is a fundraiser for Hackensack Riverkeeper and Keep Rockland Beautiful. The day will feature the always-entertaining Supervisor's Race and several open paddle sessions. Whether you're kayaking (your boat or ours!), walking, or running, we look forward to seeing you at Lake DeForest on June 25th!

**Please note:

• Download and sign Riverkeeper paddling waiver forms ahead of time. This waiver covers all activities of the day.

Schedule:

• Check-in begins 30 min. prior to each time slot
• 8:30 am: Supervisors Challenge
• 9:00 am: Opening Ceremony
• 9:30 am - 11:00 am: Family Walk and 5K Fun Run 
• 9:30 am - 11:00 am: Kayak/Canoe Session 1 (rental)
• 11:30 am - 1:00 pm Bring your own Kayak/Canoe Session 1
• 11:30 am - 1:00 pm: Kayak/Canoe Session 2 (rental)
• 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm: Kayak/Canoe Session 3 (rental)
• 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm: Bring your own Kayak/Canoe Session 2

* In the unlikely event Lake DeForest Day is cancelled due to extremely inclement weather, you may use your donation towards one of our other paddling events, special paddles, or at either of our paddling centers. More info at www.hackensackriverkeeper.org.

Venue/Parking and Check-in: Parking and check-in for the event will be at the New City Little League field: 41 Strawtown Road, New City, NY 10956, near the intersection of Strawtown Road and Fringe Court. Turn-by-turn directions here. From the field, it's a short walk along the waterfront to the kayak launch/walk starting point. Shuttle buses will also be provided to take people to and from the field. Folks with their own boats must also check in at New City Little League Field before driving to the boat drop area. 

GUIDELINES: All boats must be washed before entering the reservoir (we will have a wash station set-up for participants bringing their own boats).

All paddlers must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD), in good and serviceable condition and of appropriate size for the intended user for the duration of the paddle sessions. Paddles, PFDs and whistles will be provided to those who rent a boat. Anyone bringing their own boat must provide their own paddle, PFD and whistle.

Safety boats will be on the water to provide assistance. However, paddlers must stop to aid any other paddler who appears to be in distress.

AGE RESTRICTIONS Children 5 and up may ride as a passenger in a canoe with two adult paddlers (two children passengers max). Children 9 and older can paddle in the front of a tandem kayak. Children 12 and older may paddle a single kayak, if they are accompanied and supervised by an adult while on the water.  

REFUNDS: This event is a fundraiser, with all proceeds going directly to Hackensack Riverkeeper and Keep Rockland Beautiful to help continue our missions to protect, preserve, and restore the watershed and local environment. Your registration is a donation to these organizations and is non-refundable. In the event you are unable to attend, we will issue a voucher that you may use at either of our paddling centers or at a future 2022 or 2023 special event. This event is rain or shine and will only be cancelled due to lightning. Call 201-968-0808 within 48 hours of the event to release your rental and arrange for your voucher. 

Lake DeForest Day is one of the few opportunities the public has to paddle Lake DeForest, one of its most important and picturesque natural resources. Thank you to the Town of Clarkstown for giving us the opportunity to enjoy this jewel of the Hackensack River Watershed.