Canoe and Kayak River Adventure

Canoe & Kayak Adventure Course

The Pleasant Street Bridge - 1886 on the Keystone

Swans on the Quinsig

Beaver Lodge and dam on the Qunisig

Happy paddlers on the Quinsig

What: Lake Ripple/ Quinsigamond River Paddling Adventure

We'll launch at Ekblaw Landing after positioning some vehicles at the finish. We'll paddle across Lake Ripple to the dam. From there we'll portage around the dam, re-launch in the Quinsigamond River and paddle down to Fisherville Pond. We'll pull out at the future Riverside Park.

When: Sunday, May 1, 1PM to 4PM

Where: Start at Eckblaw Landing (Google Map and Directions). Finish at the future site of the Riverside Park (Google Map and Directions).

What to Bring: Your canoe or kayak with paddles, floatation vests and all necessary equipment, including, perhaps a change of clothes in a water-proof bag. If you don't have a boat and would like to rent one, see below. Don't forget snacks and drinks!

What to Wear: You decide.

What to Expect: Paddling Fun and Adventure! Lake Ripple will be flat water. Watch for the swans that nest near Eckblaw Landing. The Quinsigamond River will hopefully be neither too high and fast nor too low and slow. The river will probably be moving fast enough to require some modest paddling skill and vigilance to navigate successfully. Fisherville Pond will also be flat.

This stretch of the Qunisig is a little-known jewel of Grafton. The river is cool, and so clear that you can see the bottom even when it's four feet or deeper! As you paddle along, you are enclosed in a nature corridor. It's hard to fathom that you're actually paddling through the middle of Town. Along the way you can see fish in the water, beaver lodges and dams, turtles, and many types of birds, including ducks and heron.

The distance across Lake Ripple to the dam is about 8/10 mile. The stretch of the Quinsigamond River to Fisherville Pond is about 1.8 miles. Then it's 3/10 miles across the pond to the finish at the future Riverside Park. Anyone who wishes to, may paddle 6/10 mile farther to the junction with the Blackstone River, then return to the pull-out point.

RSVP and Questions: Please RSVP Ken Webb so that we may better plan this Adventure. Click here to send an email.

Canoe and Kayak Rental Opportunities: Fin & Feathers of Upton will provide the rentals for those interested.