Don't Miss: Lake DeForest Day This Weekend

The fifth annual SUEZ Lake DeForest Day Saturday will feature a new 1.5-mile Family Walk across the Freedom Causeway to benefit Keep Rockland Beautiful.

The fun-filled day will also feature public kayaking, a youth fishing derby and the Supervisor’s Challenge -- a kayak race between the five Rockland town supervisors. Stony Point will seek to defend its championship of the Supervisor’s Cup. More than 400 paddlers, walkers and fishing derby contestants are expected to participate at the reservoir in West Nyack, N.Y. Information about registration, fees and schedules can be found at www.LakeDeForestDay.com.

Proceeds from kayaking will benefit the Hackensack Riverkeeper while Keep Rockland Beautiful will be the beneficiary of the proceeds from the Family Walk.

“SUEZ Lake DeForest Day is one of Rockland’s most unique community events,” said Chris Graziano, vice president and general manager of SUEZ New York operations. “The opportunity to walk across the beautiful Freedom Causeway will be very exciting. We are pleased to support Hackensack Riverkeeper and Keep Rockland Beautiful, two of the region’s most important environmental groups. We also appreciate the partnerships with the Boy Scouts and the Town of Clarkstown that help make this event possible.”

Bailey the Beaver, SUEZ’ new conservation character, will also make his premiere appearance at the opening ceremonies.

Lake DeForest Day Schedule

• Youth Fishing Derby: 7 to 10 am
• Supervisor’s Cup 8:30 am
• Opening Ceremonies 9 am
• Family Walk 9:30 to 10:30 am
• Kayaking Sessions 9:30-11 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.

The Platinum sponsors of the event are Orange and Rockland Utilities and Mr. Landscape. J. Fletcher Creamer and New York Leak Detection are Gold sponsors and All-Bright Electric and Degenshein Architects are Silver sponsors.

The kayaks will be launched at the north end of the causeway. All private vessels will be washed at the registration area to protect the water supply.

Parking for all events will be available at the New City Little League field on Strawtown Road.

About Lake DeForest

Lake DeForest, which is owned and operated by SUEZ, is a four-mile long reservoir located in the Town of Clarkstown and opened in 1956. Residents and non-residents can fish, hike or bird watch along the reservoir from April to November by purchasing a Watershed Recreation Program permit available online at www.suezwatershed.com.