Take Your Beer For A Walk: Bayfront Promenade
Spectacular sights accompany autumnal sips
As we roll headfirst into October, let's take a zip through one particular part of town that prompts us all to say out loud, "we actually get to live here?!" I'm talking about our wonderful bayfront, of course. Before the seasonal shift makes us hunt down warm indoor spots, let's grab a beer and earn our calories by getting in some steps along the edge of Presque Isle Bay. Ready? Let's hit it!
We'll begin at a handy parking area at the intersection of the Bayfront Parkway and Niagara Point Drive right next to the driveway to The Residence at Presque Isle Bay. It's a secluded little parking lot perfectly situated between the downhill path from Frontier Park and Erie's bayfront district. Pop open that barley pop, breathe in the crisp October air, and let's move east along the multipurpose concrete walkway. Oh wait, you took a sip or two already yeah? In case you hadn't, now is as good a time as any.
Along this route we'll pass by a boatload (chuckle) of watercraft being hauled out of the water this time of year as the boating season closes rapidly. You'll come across the entrance to Liberty Park and then Jr's on the Bay/Sloppy Duck Saloon. The Sloppy Duck has been a staple along Erie's waterfront for 23 years and I just learned the current owners are moving on, with new ownership coming in soon. We've all seen a solid music performance or enjoyed some seafood along the water here at some point, right? Cheers to you, Sloppy Duck!
Next, let's continue heading east where you'll see a lot more boats in their seasonal return to dry land, eventually coming across the Lawrence Toth Pier. Next to the blue railings of the pier you'll see an historical marker commemorating Mr. Toth's commitment to equal and easy access to public waterways. He was never an Erie resident, but worked tirelessly from Harrisburg in the department of environmental protection. Thank you for your efforts, sir. Cheers to you, Mr. Toth!
Heading farther east we're going to pass Port Erie Sports on your left, home to a great watercraft rental spot where you can rent anything from a stand up paddleboard to a family-sized pontoon boat. This time of year, it's a bit quiet, but the sunset views from their lot are stellar. Cheers to you, Port Erie Sports for being that friend with a boat, instead of us needing to purchase one!
So now, the finale of this trip. I trust you've been taking some all-important beer sips along the way. We'll continue along the walkway east, around the Bayfront Convention Center roundabout portion, until you reach the newly constructed traffic improvement project. Walking up to this part of town I have to say, I was impressed. You have to meander your way a bit to the top of the new construction but when you arrive just take it in. The whole point of this PennDOT project was to improve traffic flow and enhance pedestrian access to the bayfront district. You'll notice something impressive too, an honest-to-goodness patio, on the eastern edge of the new platform. What a solid place to watch Fourth of July fireworks (with a beer of course). And check out the landscaping! While not fully completed as of this writing, you can definitely tell this is an improvement to our city. Cheers to you, PennDOT and the many construction crews!
I hope you get a chance to stroll along our bayfront while the leaves are turning and the puffy telltale autumn clouds are rolling in. Thanks for coming along with me, keep drinking local!
Jeff McCullor is the co-owner of Erie Ale Works. He can be reached at jeff@eriealeworks.com
