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Lazy River Playground meets the following criteria for TAUNY’s Register of Very Special Places:
Founded shortly after World War II by John Grandy on family land along the Grasse River, “Lazy River”–as it has since been known–was at first a dance pavilion with swimming and picnic facilities for families. Within a short time, the Grandys added roller skating, miniature golf, shuffleboard and other summer games to their attraction. Photographs from the 1950s show several hundred cars in the parking areas for typical weekend gatherings. It was the place to go for teenagers and college students at that time. Fifty years later, it is still rented for family reunions, office parties or other group outings by appointment. You can grill your own picnic foods, rent skates for a whirl around the rink or play a few holes of golf on a very challenging course while others swim or go out in the river in boats. Current owner Francis “Red” Grandy frequently entertains visitors with his amazing amphibious car and tales of his days as a war photographer in Europe.
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The original pavilion still stands, where dances and roller skating have been popular for years.
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A typical Sunday afternoon gathering of cars at Lazy River in the 1950s. [Photo by Dwight Church, courtesy of St. Lawrence University Archives, Owen D. Young Library]
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Weekend visitors at Lazy River in the 1950s, including local college students. [Photo by Dwight Church, courtesy of St. Lawrence University Archives, Owen D. Young Library]
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Red stands by the counter inside the pavilion where roller skates are still rented.
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Members of a local family gathered for a summer reunion in 2001.
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Miniature golf is still a popular recreation for visitors.
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Red Grandy takes a guest for a ride in his amphibious car in the Grasse River next to the playground.