Boaters Welcome @ Commercial Slip
A recent visit to the Commercial Slip was interesting in the fact that it was the first time that I had see the floating dock system in operation. There was even a small booth at the top of the walkway ramp where boaters can check in for the day. I called over to Buffalo Place to ask what the daily rates look like for tying up at The Slip, and it turns out that the cost is $1 per foot (for 24-hours). That sounded like a pretty good deal to me.
Finally there is a protected slip where boaters can tie up for events downtown. If you look at other waterfront destinations like LaSalle Park and Erie Basin Marina, they are not as appealing for lake-faring visitors. Now there is a clean (on land), historic, place where boaters can come to experience the harbor... especially if the crew has a couple of bikes aboard. From the boat, crewmembers can walk their bikes over to the trail, and from there they can get to just about anywhere on the waterfront in a snap.
For boaters who are looking for a free, short term tie-up (not far from the Commercial Slip) there is always the dock by the Swannie House. There, boaters will find beers and burgers as well as one of the friendliest bar crowds in the city. Otherwise boaters at the Commercial Slip can count on a Perry's Ice Cream stand that is now situated right next the check-in station. For more boater tips regarding things to do once you arrive to the Commercial Slip, click here.
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TDSBLO
My dad and I took a ride from Hamburg on our jet skis a few weeks ago to check out the new waterfront. It was really convenient to just tie them off for 5 bucks and hang out and get some food. It'll be even better when canalside is finished.
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Spaulding97
This may be a stupid question, but will any of the commercial slip be open during the winter? Mainly for Sabre games? Do they plan on closing everything up and closing it all off or what?
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bison716
Imagine how Ran Webber proposal would look in that picture up top!
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TownLine
Spaulding - The watered slip, itself, will likely be froze over. I don't think you will be able to access it by boat. Everything on land should still be open, however. Especially once we actually have some real development there.
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Spaulding97
Townline- LOL, i didn't mean by boat! But, thanks. I think it would look nice with snow, some Xmas lights, hopefully some shops, bars/restaurants will be there as well. COLD, but nice.
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RRover
queenseyes, a short walk away there are metal floating docks in the marina. My uncle owns a slip on it.
Nice to see that people put in an effort on this project and it has turned out well so far.
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queenseyes
RRover, what's access like for boaters that don't have slips at the marina? I remember when Crawdaddy's was there and all sorts of boats would pull up in front and tie on to each other. It was a great thing to see and gave the boating community an instant party after work. They should bring that back.
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Quijibo
I miss the boat parties at Crawdaddys and The Pier! Good call on bringing them back.
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stewie
Is it just me or is this all kind of a scam? There's nothing there & can't really see much ever going on there.
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Distiller
One of the original intentions for the docks was for overnight transient boaters from up the lake in Erie, Port Colborne, Port Dover, Cleveland, and beyond. Many boaters like to travel to other ports to tie up, explore a new city, and spend money. There are great public marinas all along Lake Erie where boaters can spend a great weekend. The one thing all of these places have that our expensive new canal water front does not have are shower & bath facilities. It's obvious that the planners of the canal waterfront never consulted, (or perhaps merely ignored), advice from the local boating community, as only the largest, most expensive boats have shower & bathrooms that are comfortable for days at a time. While this can hopefully be addressed in Phase 2 (maybe as part of the Benderson retail project), the city has missed a great opportunity to make a slash with Lake Erie boaters from the start.
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NorPark
Shanghai Red's just recently finished installing floating docks alongside the restaurant and it seems to be getting some decent use. It appeared there were a couple boats tied up last night, and the patio always seems to be pretty busy on Wed. evenings, live music and such. Reluctantly, I ate there a few weeks ago on a out of towner's request, and was pleasantly surprised, they changed the menu and the food and service was actually quite good.
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gaustad
I agree with Queenseyes. Why does this cost money? This is a public park paid for with tax payer dollars......why should we have to pay to dock our boats? Furthermore, the place smells like sh!t from the sewer problem.
You mean i have to pay to dock my boat and smell sh!t.
The city should encourage boaters to tie up for free and spend the day.
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