Voyageur Canoe Paddles are Back

Celebrating its 18th season, Cleveland Metroparks Voyageur Canoe Paddles take to the water once again to immerse participants in the life of an old-time Voyageur.

The one-hour living history programs take paddlers on a trip back to the Fur Trade Era.

While paddling the canoes, participants can sing along to the French Canadian paddle songs and sample the food of the time.

The Paddle provides the opportunity for individuals, friends and families to learn about the Great Lakes Fur Trade Era in a unique and active way.

The 34-foot Voyageur Canoe is a fiberglass replica of the original voyageur canoes, which were used to travel the Great Lakes from Montreal to Lake Superior and the eastern shores of Minnesota in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Each participant paddles the large, 18-seater canoe on either Hinckley Lake or Wallace Lake.           

The 2012 schedule for the ever-popular Voyageur Canoe Paddles is:

Hinckley Lake at Hinckley Reservation

• June 4 (full moon)*, June 16 - 17
• July 3*, July 15
• August 2*, August 18, August 31*
• September 8 - 9, September 29*
• October 1 - 2, October 13, October 29*

 Wallace Lake at Mill Stream Run Reservation

• July 7 - 8
• August 4 - 5

Shove-off times for paddles on Saturdays and Sundays are 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m. OR 3:30 p.m.

*Full moon rides are at 6 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Registration and a $5 fee per person are required. Space is limited. Life jackedt are provided.

Hinckley Lake is located between West Drive and East Drive in Hinckley Reservation, south of Bellus Road in HinckleyTownship.

Wallace Lake is located off Valley Parkway in Mill Stream Run Reservation, south of Bagley Road in Berea.

For more information and to register, call 440-786-8530.