(8.5 miles)
This popular paddle began in 2002 with 21 kayaks making the
inaugural trip from Neenah to Appleton. Originally launching from
Doty Park, completion of construction led to a switch several years
ago to the current launch site in Shattuck Park. Over the years,
participation has included all types of human-powered craft and as
many as 350 participants. In that time, participants have included
all sorts of people and paddlers, mostly from the Fox Cities but
often with others from well outside the area. The average age
participant tends to be about 43 years old, but both infants and
octognerians have actively participaetd. The 2012 running of this
event is intended to follow the pattern established over the prior
ten years - same course, same timing, and hopefully some of the
better weather and calmer wind conditions!
Schedule and Trip Map
Click the map
image at the right to open up a printable copy. Approximate
schedule for this paddle event:
- 7-9 a.m. Register and unload at Shattuck Park/ Neenah
- 7-9 a.m. Drive cars to Fritse Park in Tn of Menasha or Appleton
near Lutz Park and return on shuttle bus
- 9:20 a.m. Launch from Shattuck Park/ Neenah
- 11:30 a.m. Anticipated passage through Menasha Lock
- 12:00 p.m. Approximate landing at Frtise Park/ Tn of Menasha
or
- 1:00 p.m. Approximate landing at Lutz Park/ Appleton
After Paddle Activity?
In past years, many participants have enjoyed lunch provided at
very reasonable cost by the Appleton Yacht Club. Others get all
their paddling gear loaded up and scatter around Appleton to share
lunch at any of the great restaurants in or near the waterfront and
downtown Appleton.
How Difficult Is This Event?
We attempt to make this event accessible for a broad range of
paddlers. However, we have found that conditions in some past years
have proven to been challenging for less experienced
paddlers. We have also found that boats shorter than 12 feet in
length that are not designed to track well in open water during
windy condtions, and can make this a very long, exhaustive and
frustrating experience! The trip is about 8.5 miles long, most of
which is not aided by a downstream current. Substantial wind and
wave action, particularly on Little Lake Butte des Mort, proved to
be quite challenging for several paddlers in 2008, 2009 and 2010.
If you haven't yet developed much paddling experience, consider
"getting your feet wet" through less challenging opportunities so
you can fully enjoy this fun event when you are ready!
Sponsors
Joining Us? Please Let Us Know!
We are not pre-registering for these events, but if you are
planning to participate, please let us know! Just click the button
at the right to open an email your plans to our coordinating
committee. Edit the content and hit SEND! This does not commit you
to the event or the fee, but helps us plan. Thank you for your
cooperation!
Support Information
School buses will again be provided to expedite a pre-launch
shuttle. The buses will pick up drivers who have parked their
vehicles and bring them back to Shattuck Park for the launch. The
buses will pick up at Lutz Park, Pierce Park, Vulcan-Heritage Park
(Fratello's) and the corner of Edison Street and Olde Oneida
Street. First pickup will be about 7:30 a.m.; last shuttle will
leave Lutz Park at 8:50 a.m.
We do not plan a formal bus shuttle to Fritse Park, but encourage
informal ad hoc paddler shuttling from Shattuck Park to Fritse Park
due to the relatively short shuttle distance.
There will be a bus available to shuttle drivers from Lutz Park to
their cars at Pierce Park, Vulcan-Heritage Park (Fratello's) and
Edison Street and back to Shattuck Park in Neenah. Donations to
help cover the cost of the shuttle buses are appreciated and help
us keep the event registration fee affordable!
Acknowledgements
As this particular paddle event has evolved many individuals and
organizations have given their time, talents or funds to help
people enjoy the event safely. The following list is intended to
acknowledge those organizations and their individuals and express
our gratitude for their support of this year's Park-to-Park Paddle
event!
Fox River Navigational System Authority