Join us for free presentation from The Greenscapes Coalition at the Amesbury Public Library. 

As part of our ongoing efforts to raise awareness of Lake Gardner and the Powow River Conservation Area, we're excited to announce the availability of our new Lake Guide & Trail Map brochure.  

It's dry and warm down at Lake Gardner! Come on down!

This year, we're pleased to be offering online registration and payment for the Lake Gardner Classic.  Pre-registation saves time on race day, and gets you a discount on our annual canoe and kayak race. It's great fun for the whole family so mark your calendars and register today!  

The Lake Gardner Classic Kayak and Canoe Race has set its date for 2012. Mark your calendar for June 23rd. You can find more information on the Canoe Race page. See you at the beach!

Please join us for our monthly meetings, on the second Tuesday of every month, in the Cultural Center, located in the condo complex directly behind Amesbury Industrial Supply. Meetings start at 7:30 and run about an hour. Hope to see you there!

The Lake Gardner Bacteriological Study was completed by the Town of Amesbury to identify bacteria sources within the Lake’s watershed. A water monitoring program was conducted during the summer and fall of 2010 to identify and evaluate potential threats to water quality and develop Best Management Practices (BMPs) that address pollution sources. Land use evaluations and site specific investigations were completed to help identify pollution sources and direct improvement efforts. Long and short term remediation BMPs were developed to help the Town manage activities in the watershed and improve water quality in Lake Gardner.  

Lake Gardner Classic Canoe  Kayak Race a Success

 

Even with a rainy start, the Lake Gardener Improvement Association’s Classic 5 K canoe and kayak race was a success.  After conferring with our local meteorologist, Ben Siebecker, the association made the decision to run the race on schedule.  Ben analyzed the local weather maps and determined that the rain would stop at 9:30.  At 9:30, the rain stopped and 25 hardy racers registered and enjoyed warm Andyman’s cookies fresh from the oven and music by Kevin Wall as they waited for the race to begin.

 

The fastest racer this year was Fracisco Urena, Men’s Kayak Class, with a time of 28:47.  Francisco mentioned that his first race experience was with us last year!  There was a very close race for second place in the Single Racing Canoe Class.   Bill Farrell place second by literally throwing his canoe and himself over the finish line.  The Snyder family was well represented; Erica and Amy did a great job paddling together and brother Eric paddled with Jacob Gleason.  The Nyman’s also enjoyed a day of paddling. Douglas Hopkins postponed a trip up north to test out the beautiful wooden kayak he made. On the whole, racers had a quick race this year with many paddlers taking several minutes off their time. 

 

We would  like to thank our volunteers including :Steve Nyman- event steward, Kevin Wall- music and sound system, John Brucker- set up, Bruce Georgian- set up and timing,

Ken Aspeslagh- set up and water support, Bruce McBrien- set up and photography

Jeremy Kezer-registration and timing, Mark Bean-registration and timing, Kim Kezer- water support, Ben Siebecker- weather and Bernadette Lucas- general manager

 

Also needed mentioning are: the Merrimac Fire Department that was ready to assist paddlers in need, Andyman’s Bakery for the wonderful hot cookies and Stop and Shop for the refreshing water and oranges.

 

We would like to thank all of those who raced this year and made the day so much fun.  Racers’ times are as follows:

 

Racing Single Canoe: Staurt Olsen 31:33, Bill Farrell 32:06, Pete Schacht 32:07,

Steve Nyman 33:49

 

Racing Double:

Shawn Burke and Kirk Olson- 29:57, Dan O’Reilly and Mark Peters 34:01

 

Men’s Double Canoe

Bruce Duguette and Tom Banville 34:31, John Souther and Matt Nyman 38:58

 

Women’s Double Canoe

Linda Souther, Cathy Skalecki 41:54

 

Youth Canoe

Erica and Amy Snyder 53:15

 

Youth Adult Canoe

Eric Snyder and Jacob Gleason 52:15

 

Women ‘s Kayak

Diane Tetreautt 41:42

 

Men’s Kayak

 

Francisco Urena 28:47, Ken Soucy 34:29, Douglas Hopkins 37:32, John Brucker 40:31

 

Double Kayak

 

Katie Ankiewicz and Jane Siebecker 47:29           

 

We look forward to seeing kids, families and racers next year come rain or shine.

 

Bernadette Lucas

Amesbury, MA

 

 

 

 

The Photo Contest finalists have been selected, and their photos are currently on display in the Amesbury Room at the Amesbury Public Library. Go check them out!