BoardSafe Builds Connecting Pedestrian Bridge for Fleetwood Borough
Fleetwood Borough Park, located at 334 W. Main St., Fleetwood, PA, is the recipient of a recently installed BoardSafe pedestrian bridge. In 2020, the original bridge was swept away by a flooding storm that hit the area. The storm destroyed the park’s wooden pedestrian bridge, and flooding washed out the park. The park’s bandshell, already suffering from decay, was condemned when the creek caused additional damage from the storm.
“Borough Council was committed to replacing both the bridge and bandshell as they recognized how important these structures were to the Fleetwood residents and the activities that take place at the park,” said Borough Manager Chris Young. The old bridge provided walking access to the park from the residential neighborhood behind the park, and the new bridge restored the access that was lost.
Fleetwood Borough sought out and received generous grants from DCED (Department of Community and Economic Development) and DCNR (Department of Conservation and Natural Resources) to help fund the greatly needed project. Through the grant application process, they were able to receive $380,000 to subsidize the cost of the new bridge over the creek, repair the creek, address flood damage, and install a new bandshell.
Borough Council recognized how important these amenities are to its residents; therefore, they committed to repairing and maintaining the creek and the surrounding greenspace located in the heart and hub of their community. The park offers picnic facilities, a walking path with exercise stations, playground facilities, a bandshell, and a concession stand for concerts and other events. The pedestrian bridge was key to residents’ accessibility throughout the park and connects the park to the parking lot and nearby community.
An installation video of the long-awaited pedestrian bridge at Fleetwood Borough Park can be viewed here:
Fleetwood Park Pedestrian Bridge Installation
Watch a recent video of the completed installation here:
Completed Fleetwood Park Pedestrian Bridge
Ribbon-cutting ceremony recognized project contributors
A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on Sunday, June 4, before Parks and Recreation's first Sunday night Concert in the Park.
Those in attendance included Judy Schwank, PA State Senator, other state officials, Fleetwood borough leaders, and representatives from contracting companies involved in the project. Those involved in the improvement project received recognition for their efforts at the well-attended ceremony.
“The public opinion regarding improvements at the park is positive, especially for the new bridge. The bandshell had a temporary tent for the last two years that allowed for concerts to continue, and the community was happy to see a permanent structure back in place. The new pedestrian bridge is ADA-compliant, offers wheelchair accessibility, and has solar lighting which the old bridge didn’t provide,” said Young.
Local contractors complete the work and offer community pride
The new pedestrian bridge, designed and manufactured by Board Safe Docks, also of Fleetwood, was purchased through Pennsylvania’s cooperative purchasing program called COSTARS (Cooperative Sourcing to Achieve Reductions in Spending.) The COSTARS program leverages buying power with competitively priced contracts and an effective procurement process.
The bridge preparation work, foundations, bandshell stage, and construction contract was awarded through a competitive bid process to DESCCO Design & Construction, Inc., of Fleetwood. Flyway Excavating of Mount Joy completed the site work on the creek.
“Working with BoardSafe on the design, manufacturing, and installation exceeded my expectations,” offered Chris Young, Fleetwood’s Borough Manager. Young complimented BoardSafe’s team for their excellent customer service, outstanding design, responsiveness to questions, and willingness to meet the borough’s needs every step of the way.
BoardSafe’s owner, Scott Tihansky, said, “We’re honored to improve accessibility for the borough where our manufacturing plant is located. Our dedicated team always receives compliments for their hard work and excellent customer service. A few members of our team grew up in the Topton-Fleetwood area, attended school or reside nearby, and feel honored to have their skills displayed at Fleetwood Park. Our team takes a lot of pride and ownership in creating a positive user experience.”
Fleetwood prepares for sesquicentennial: celebrating 150 years
The pedestrian bridge and park improvements were completed in time to celebrate the Borough of Fleetwood as it kicks off its 150th anniversary celebration. Numerous year-long celebratory events are planned to commemorate the borough. Fleetwood’s Council of Community Organizations (FCCO), a group composed of representatives from non-profit organizations, announced them here: 150th Anniversary – Borough of Fleetwood, PA. Events will include the Fleetwood Carnival, car shows, concerts and movies in the park, fireworks and parades, a time capsule presentation, and numerous holiday events.
Fleetwood’s history has deep roots
Fleetwood Historical Society goes a long way to preserve Fleetwood’s history. The society has a mission to “Preserve the Past for the Future.” The museum is a walk back in time to reminisce and a source to learn about historical contributions from the Fleetwood area. Fleetwood’s history is impressive and the artifacts are plentiful. Visitors may learn more about Fleetwood’s history at these informative sites: Fleetwood Timeline and About Fleetwood — Borough of Fleetwood, Pennsylvania. Or better yet, visit their museum at 110 W. Arch St.
BoardSafe’s pedestrian bridge project profile
The pedestrian bridge project consisted of a 35-ft long x 6.8-ft wide elevated aluminum pedestrian walkway, a 30-ft. gangway, and a 24-ft. gangway with a landing and stairs. The new ADA-compliant gangway provides opportunities for people in wheelchairs to attend park functions without struggling through the barriers that existed in the past. The pedestrian bridge will provide inclusive access to the park for many years to come.
Here are some installation pictures to understand the project's scope and complexity; offering elevation above the stream and ADA accessibility.
Click on the links below for additional information on BoardSafe’s pedestrian bridges:
Aluminum Pedestrian Bridges and Gangways
BoardSafe’s Pedestrian Bridges Build Connections
Inclusive parks demonstrate community
As parks, marinas, and outdoor facilities look to improve accessibility for disabled community members, BoardSafe Docks has become nationally recognized for offering accessible solutions and adaptive features for all people looking to enjoy activities in parks and on the water. BoardSafe is the industry leader for commercial and municipal waterfront products. We specialize in design, engineering, and manufacturing of aluminum-welded docks, marinas, rowing centers, adaptive kayak launches, gangways, stationary and floating fishing piers, pedestrian bridges, and other accessible products throughout the USA.
BoardSafe’s marine-grade aluminum pedestrian bridge, like the one built for the Borough of Fleetwood, can be manufactured to custom specifications in length, width, and design. BoardSafe’s experienced team can solve customer challenges quickly and cost-effectively.
Contact BoardSafe Docks today at 610-899-0286 to learn more about the most durable and accessible aluminum-welded options for your location. The team will help you find an ideal solution around your waterfront.
BoardSafe Docks Provides Paddling Accessibility for Allentown Waterfront
In October 2022, BoardSafe Docks completed the installation of a custom gangway, floating dock system, kayak launch, and storage racks on the Lehigh River in Allentown, PA. The Allentown Waterfront Project, developed by Jaindl Enterprises, is part of a redevelopment effort to revitalize an unused twenty-nine-acre industrial site, formerly home to Lehigh Structural Steel, into a vibrant mixed-use campus along the western banks of the Lehigh River.
The complex will revitalize the site’s industrial history and blend it with a beautiful new waterfront community. The design includes a mix of commercial and residential properties that will host restaurants, retail stores, and recreational amenities, and will offer convenient lifestyle and growth opportunities to the local economy.
Work hard, play easy
Lifestyle communities hold corporate allure by offering a desirable location between suburban and city work-life. Walkable communities are attractive to both residents and businesses because of their accessible amenities and work-life balance.
Recreational amenities, like parks, trail systems, and water access for kayaking, available at Allentown’s Waterfront, will help build the community the Jaindls envision. Waterfront communities bring like-minded people together by fostering shared interests and connecting people to nature. With the Lehigh River in their backyard, it’s a place where people can go after work or on weekends to take advantage of the close-to-home recreation and activities.
Building and investing in our natural resources brings communities together and builds friendships,—particularly among communities that have not been connected in the past.
The custom waterfront project developed by Jaindl Enterprises had a vision that included providing water access to paddlers wishing to paddle the Lehigh River. The shoreline approaching the Lehigh River is very steep and was inaccessible when the planning for the project began. BoardSafe Docks of Fleetwood, PA, was hired to design and manufacture a floating dock system and kayak launch that would open up accessibility to the beautiful riverfront for the new tenants.
A BoardSafe Kayak Launch provides safe and easy access and cannot be found anywhere else on the Lehigh River, making it an attractive feature for those living and working by the river.
Waterfront Project features
BoardSafe’s custom project along the Lehigh River includes a commercial floating aluminum dock, gangway, Clip-a-Launch, and kayak storage racks.
Watch the project video here: Allentown Waterfront Floating Dock and Kayak Boat Launch on the Lehigh River
Due to the steep slope of the shoreline and possible flooding and drought conditions along the river, a concrete foundation was formed to secure the floating dock system to land. Heavy-duty engineered support arms were used to secure the dock system to the land. The massive arms provide structure and durability to the dock, allowing it to rise and lower with changing river levels while maintaining a fixed distance to the shoreline. BoardSafe Docks also manufactured an 80-ft.-long industrial gangway to connect to the floating dock. On the river are (4) floating dock sections, each 20 ft. in length, forming a large 8 ft.-wide by 80 ft.-long floating dock. The structure provides a stable system that will be flood-resistant for decades to come.
Features of the floating dock include a BoardSafe Kayak Clip-a-Launch to allow for easy boarding and exiting, kayak racks that store 3 kayaks per racking system, a protective dock bumper system, and adjustable cleats to tie up to the perimeter of the dock.
What’s unique about the floating dock structure is the two support arms that allow the system to go up and down as the river fluctuates. The arms will provide stability to keep the floating dock system in place during flooding and drought conditions.
About the Lehigh Valley
The Lehigh Valley is located near the Pennsylvania-New Jersey border and is home to more than 600,000 residents. The area boasts over $40 billion of economic output each year. In 2015, the valley was recognized in the top five regions for development in the Northeast by SiteSelection magazine.
The region named for the Lehigh River connects the area's three largest cities: Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton. Along the river near the Allentown-Bethlehem border is The Allentown Waterfront, the new lifestyle destination for living and working, offering restaurants, retail stores, and recreation options, all in one place. Amenities include a riverwalk, outdoor amphitheater, plentiful parking, views of the water, and the ability to safely and easily launch a kayak.
Jaindl Enterprises believes The Waterfront is part of the next beautiful chapter for the city of Allentown. It’s taken about 10 years for developers to convert Allentown’s long-deteriorating riverfront into a complex of office and residential buildings. Buildings in the new community are named after William H. Mohr, Les Kift, and Thomas R. Mullen, original founders of the Lehigh Structural Steel site where they fabricated everything from bridges to hangars to highrises.
Allentown’s convenient location
The Allentown Waterfront’s convenient location boasts:
- 12 universities in a 20-mile area.
- 2 top-tier health systems: LVHN and St. Luke’s.
- 15,000 businesses in the ABE area.
- 90 minutes from NY.
- 60 minutes from Philadelphia.
Living on the water is desirable.
It’s easy to understand the draw that pulls people to the water. When you step into a kayak, push off into a canal or river, and take those first few paddle strokes, nature surrounds you.
Paddling and kayak fishing have become everyone’s favorite hobbies and sought-after forms of outdoor recreation. They bring families and friends together, connect people to nature, and most importantly, promote exercise, good health, and wellness. They have become activities that almost everyone can enjoy. Paddling encourages good stewardship of our parks, natural resources, and riverside land. Enjoyment and protection of the great outdoors are valuable investments in our communities, now and into the future.
The popularity of paddlesports like kayaking is on the rise.
According to a report published by the Statista Research Department, nearly 18.6 million U.S. Americans went kayaking at least once in 2021, demonstrating an increase in the popularity of paddlesports. During the 2010–2021 season, kayaking participation in the United States grew by 87.3 percent. Paddlesports like kayaking draw people to the water and together along the waterfront.
Here’s a short video of the Kayak Launch at Allentown’s Waterfront: Lehigh River Aluminum Floating Docks and Kayak Launch in Allentown
BoardSafe Docks has four other launches in the ABE area that are adaptive and inclusive for paddlers of all abilities. You will find them at Leaser Lake in Kempton, Beltzville Lake at Preacher’s Camp, Lake Nockamixon in Quakertown, and Lake Minsi in Northampton County. We invite all paddlers to try them out. We promise you will be impressed with how easy it is to get in and out of your vessel. BoardSafe Docks is proud to contribute to making paddling an activity that almost everyone can participate in. We are especially honored to offer our kayak launch to our local community.
BoardSafe Docks is the industry leader in adaptive kayak launches and fishing piers, gangways, pedestrian bridges, collegiate rowing centers, and marinas. We specialize in design consultation, engineering, and manufacturing, and will work with you to ensure your project is accessible. To discuss your project’s vision and learn more about BoardSafe Docks, our water access products, and the long-term value they bring to communities, please contact us through the website at BoardSafeDocks.com or call us at 610-899-0286.
Gifford Pinchot State Park Improves Accessibility with Adaptive Kayak Launch in Lewisberry, PA
Gifford Pinchot State Park, a 2,338-acre recreation destination, is located in northern York County, PA, between the towns of Rossville and Lewisberry. The park consists of reverted farm fields and rolling wooded hillsides that surround the 340 acres of Pinchot Lake, the park’s prime attraction. The lake was named in honor of noted conservationist and former Pennsylvania Governor, Gifford Pinchot.
For paddlers looking for a quiet place to boat or fish, Gifford Pinchot State Park is worth the visit. The scenery is beautiful and located in the middle of beautiful woods. A paddle around the lake probably takes 2–3 hours. It’s a great place to kayak, and just got easier for everyone with its newly-installed BoardSafe adaptive kayak launch.
The state park also offers additional accessible amenities like picnic areas, restrooms, swimming areas, and an accessible cabin that can be reserved in advance when camping in the park. Some of its trails are also identified as accessible.
There are no fees for boating, but there are fees for campgrounds and boat rentals. Motorboats must display a boat registration from any state. Non-powered boats must display their current boat registration from any state and a launching permit from any office at Pennsylvania State Parks or a use permit from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
Project location
The adaptive kayak launch at Gifford Pinchot State Park is located at 800 East Camping Area Road, Lewisberry, PA 17339.
GPS DD: Lat. 40.05883 Long.76.90116
The contact number for the campground office is 717-292-4112 and the park office is 717-432-5011. The email address at the park is [email protected].
Design services and products supplied by BoardSafe Docks for this project included:
Gifford Pinchot State Park is a very pleasant surprise for many paddlers, hikers, and campers, and absolutely worth the trip. The kayak and canoe launch adds another opportunity for kayakers of all abilities to safely enter their vessel and launch into the water. The serene lake offers paddlers the experience of flat-water kayaking, canoeing, or paddleboarding on their beautiful Pinchot Lake.
BoardSafe Docks is the premier designer, engineer, and manufacturer of aluminum floating docks and accessible and adaptive kayak launches and fishing piers. BoardSafe’s commitment to advocacy and education has made them a trusted expert in accessibility design, as well as the manufacturing source for the best-performing and highest-quality launch systems available.
BoardSafe Docks' products ensure the inclusion of all abilities to benefit the widest range of users. To view the BoardSafe adaptive launch system in use, click on this link or copy it to your browser: youtu.be/vUVoc8a7EV8. To learn more about our projects or to discuss your accessibility vision, please visit our website, BoardSafeDocks.com, or contact us at 610-899-0286.