– Open all Labor Day weekend: Saturday, Sunday, & Monday –
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and Director of Parks, Buildings, and Recreation Management (PBRM) Thomas Ashe have announced that the Forest Park Swan Boats at Porter Lake will continue to be available through the end of September. The Swan Boat rentals will also be available all weekend long for Labor Day, including on Monday, September 1st.
In July, Mayor Sarno, PBRM Director Ashe, Aquatics Director Joe Federico, and ECOS students joined at Porter Lake inside Forest Park right next to the Clifford A. Phaneuf Environmental Center (ECOS Building) to launch the return of the pedal-style boat rentals to the Park. The 4-seater Swan Boat rentals are now available for families to enjoy this summer on Saturdays and Sundays, and for this long holiday weekend also on Monday.
The hours of operation are 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with the last rental at 5:30 p.m. Pedal Boats are first-come, first-served and can be used for half-hour rides on the lake for a $5 per boat rental fee. Specially trained lifeguards are on duty and flotation devices are required and provided to boat passengers.
Mayor Sarno states, “So many of us cherish fond memories of spending time at Forest Park with family and friends – for me growing up, parks, especially Forest Park, were my ‘Riviera.’ We are excited to be able to offer another fun way to experience the beauty of Forest Park with this recreational boating experience, that has a history here on Porter Lake dating back nearly a hundred years!”
“This a fun, active, and affordable activity for youths and families that we are proud to be able to offer it once again here at our beloved Forest Park. This was also a popular date activity back in the day,” said Mayor Sarno. “I deeply appreciate Director Tom Ashe and team for all the hard work and preparation to bring back the duck boats. It certainly brought a smile to my face last month and the kids really enjoyed it too.”
Visit the Parks & Recreation webpage for more information:
https://www.springfield-ma.gov/park/facilities/swan-boats
