BoardSafe Adaptive Kayak Launch Enhances Accessibility at Lexington Lake
The Johnson County Parks and Recreation Department recently upgraded park amenities at Lexington Lake Park in Johnson County, Kansas, improving access to all kayakers looking to get out and enjoy paddling on the water.
Nestled within a 465-acre park, Lexington Lake spans 27 acres and is open for boating and fishing. Visitors must obtain appropriate fishing and boating permits, including a state fishing license when using a motorized boat, following state regulations. The park also features a 1.6-mile paved multi-use trail encircling the lake, and nine miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, making it a premier destination for outdoor recreation on both land and water.
Fishing permits and regulations
Fishing permits are available at the Visitor Services desk in the Shawnee Mission Park Administration Building, the Registration Office in Antioch Park, and retail locations including Bass Pro Shops, Scheels, and Walmart stores in Johnson County (Sporting Goods section). For more details, visit the Annual and General Permits page.
Children under 16 are generally exempt from needing a fishing license or JCPRD permit, except for trout fishing, which requires a JCPRD trout permit regardless of age.
Additional Lexington Lake Park Amenities
In addition to the adaptive kayak launch, Lexington Lake Park offers:
- a boat ramp and courtesy dock with parking.
- a drinking fountain.
- picnic shelters and grills.
- a playground.
- hiking and mountain biking trails.
- restrooms and paved multi-use trails.
View the Lexington Lake Park Map to explore available amenities before your visit.
Ecological significance of Lexington Lake Park
Beyond its recreational offerings, Lexington Lake Park is home to a range of unique and ecologically important habitats, including:
- Virgin Tallgrass Prairie Minimally disturbed, with more than 120 native plant species—indicative of a healthy and diverse ecosystem.
- Mead’s Milkweed A federally threatened plant species and a critical indicator of prairie health, found within the park’s untouched prairie zones.
- Oak and Hickory Forests A mature forest ecosystem supporting diverse wildlife and plant communities.
- Tallgrass Prairie Home to tall, perennial grasses and essential wildlife habitats, representing a vital ecological balance.
These natural features make Lexington Lake Park a haven for recreation, conservation, and environmental education.
BoardSafe Docks project scope for Lexington Lake Park
To improve water access, BoardSafe Docks of Fleetwood, Pennsylvania, supplied and manufactured a comprehensive adaptive kayak launch system. The project included:
- one 8’2” x 16’4” floating dock.
- one 4’2” x 16’4” floating dock.
- one 16’4” adaptive kayak launch.
- one adaptive kit.
- one 40’ x 4’ single-rail gangway and chute combination.
- a bulkhead mounting angle.
BoardSafe’s innovative adaptive kayak launch provides safe, stable, and independent access for paddlers of all abilities. Jordan Cline of the Johnson County Park and Recreation District managed the project, and Blue Water Docks of Chattanooga, Tennessee, completed the installation.
BoardSafe’s collaboration and technical expertise with our Installers
Blue Water Docks, led by Kevin Jones, has been a trusted installation partner of BoardSafe Docks for over a year. As one of our primary installers of BoardSafe’s accessible floating dock systems, the BWD team has grown to understand the technical complexity of our engineered solutions.
BoardSafe’s dock systems are frequently deployed in locations with steep embankments, fluctuating water levels, strong currents, and seasonal flooding. These challenges require more than a generic solution—they demand precision engineering and specialized construction methods. Our structures are designed to be robust, elevated, and durable, all while remaining fully accessible.
This collaboration reflects the strength of our turnkey approach: BoardSafe provides the design, engineering, and manufacturing expertise, while Blue Water Docks delivers skilled, efficient installations. Together, we deliver high-performance systems that meet the most demanding site conditions and leave our customers highly satisfied.
BoardSafe Docks: Setting the standard for adaptive marine access
Since 2009, BoardSafe Docks has been the industry leader in designing, engineering, and manufacturing premium aluminum marine access systems. Our products, including adaptive kayak launches, floating docks, pedestrian bridges, and more, are built to endure the toughest environmental conditions, from tidal shifts to flooding and drought.
BoardSafe is the trusted partner of park directors, civil engineers, landscape architects, and other professionals seeking the highest-quality, universally accessible marine solutions.
Contact us through our website at BoardSafeDocks.com or give us a phone call at 610-899-0286 to allow us to analyze the access to your water entry points.
#AccessYourAdventure
BoardSafe & Venture Outdoors Launch Pittsburgh's Premier Paddle Center
BoardSafe Docks is proud to collaborate with Venture Outdoors of Pittsburgh, PA, on an exciting and innovative project: a one-of-a-kind paddle center along the Allegheny River in front of the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. After nearly two years of planning and collaboration, this state-of-the-art floating paddle and rental facility is poised to position Pittsburgh as a leader in urban paddlesports access.
The new paddle center will serve as a downtown hub for kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), providing residents and visitors near the convention center with easy access to Pittsburgh’s iconic Three Rivers. With over 75 kayaks and other non-motorized paddle crafts, the center will feature multiple launch areas—including one specifically designed for paddlers in wheelchairs who require additional adaptive features to access the water.
The floating docks will span an impressive 100 feet by 50 feet, creating a vibrant, functional space for recreation right in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh. According to VisitPittsburgh, the concession is expected to boost tourism, drawing both locals and visitors to the waterfront.
Phase One Launching Near Memorial Day
Phase one of the project is slated to open near Memorial Day, marking a major milestone in downtown Pittsburgh’s efforts to expand outdoor recreation opportunities. This launch will open access to nature, particularly for those who live, work, or visit downtown and may not have the time or transportation to venture outside the city to recreate.
Venture Outdoors: Removing Barriers, Creating Access
Venture Outdoors is committed to ensuring that all of its programs are inclusive and meaningful for the community. By removing barriers—both physical and systemic—the organization creates opportunities for people of all backgrounds and abilities to experience the natural beauty in and around the City of Pittsburgh.
Whether you're a seasoned paddler or a curious beginner, Venture Outdoors provides equitable access to nature through kayak rentals, guided outings, paddling classes, and educational events. Learn more about their programs at ventureoutdoors.org or follow them on Facebook. You can also access a program calendar here for outings you may wish to participate in: Outings – Venture Outdoors.
Why Urban Outdoor Spaces Matter
In a busy city like Pittsburgh, not everyone has access to a car—or the time to leave the city—to escape into nature. That’s why local, walkable, outdoor recreation options are essential. Studies show that easy access to nature improves physical and mental health, reduces stress, and supports work-life balance. A central location like the Pittsburgh Convention Center, easily accessible to residents, conference attendees, and tourists alike, makes paddling on Pittsburgh’s rivers more convenient and inviting.
A Collaboration Rooted in Community Impact
While Venture Outdoors was searching for a permanent city base, they also found BoardSafe Docks, a nationally recognized designer, engineer, and manufacturer of aluminum floating dock systems from Eastern PA. Using BoardSafe’s experience in the industry allowed them to share their wishlist and collaborate on a design that would work for their organization and benefit the city, tourism, and local economy.
For close to 2 years, BoardSafe Docks has been working closely with Ash Andrews, Executive Director of Venture Outdoors, and Luke Borowy, Director of Paddlesports, to bring this vision to life. “We love a good partnership,” said Scott Tihansky of BoardSafe Docks. “By working with organizations connected to paddling, local government, and tourism, we’re able to offer a vital service that connects people to nature, enhances connections within communities, and boosts the local economy.”
Known for its expertise in accessible and adaptive waterfront design, BoardSafe Docks creates systems that remove barriers and offer universal access to all. With this new facility, Venture Outdoors and Kayak Pittsburgh will maintain high-quality rental gear and offer safe, memorable experiences for all users. When phase one of the rental facility gears up to open, trying paddle sports within the downtown area won’t get any easier.
Looking Ahead: Phase Two
Venture Outdoors is continuing its fundraising efforts for a second phase of the paddle center, which includes a kayak storage building, classroom space for educational outreach programs, and flexible meeting areas for community events. These additions will further enhance the Paddle Center’s role as a vibrant educational and recreational hub for the city.
Explore More
- Learn more about this project from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: $1.3M kayak hub outside Convention Center 'further positions Pittsburgh as an outdoor destination'
- View a similar project completed by BoardSafe in Austin, TX, and its impact on the city.Texas Rowing Center - the World Class Rowing Center Built by BoardSafe Docks
Let’s Get You on the Water
To find out how BoardSafe Docks can help you create your waterfront access point, adaptive paddle launch, accessible fishing pier, or courtesy boat dock, contact us at (610) 899-0286 or visit us at BoardSafeDocks.com. Let us help you design and build a space that draws people to the water, enhances the paddling experience, connects people to nature, and improves the local economy. #AccessYourAdventure #Kayaking #Paddling #KayakRentals