Ellsworth River Park Improves Access with BoardSafe Kayak Launch
Another community is expanding access to the water!
A new BoardSafe Adaptive Kayak Launch has been installed at Ellsworth River Park in Michigan, serving as a key access point along the 100-mile Chain of Lakes Water Trail.
Designed for paddlers of all abilities, the launch features an ADA gangway, a wheelchair-height boarding bench with a pullout seat, overhead grab bars, grab straps, pull bars, and a secure kayak cradle that provides stability during entry and exit.
The Ellsworth installation represents another important milestone in a broader regional initiative to create a fully accessible point-to-point paddling experience throughout the Chain of Lakes Water Trail. Similar BoardSafe Adaptive Kayak Launches have recently been installed at Elk Rapids Rotary Park and other locations across Michigan, expanding recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike.
A formal ribbon-cutting for Ellsworth River Park is scheduled for September 2026 during the annual Paddle Antrim Festival. Paddle Antrim continues to lead efforts to remove barriers and improve accessibility along the water trail, ensuring that more people can experience the beauty and benefits of Michigan's waterways.
As Paddle Antrim Executive Director Deana Jerdee stated, "We are not just adding infrastructure; we are removing barriers."
At BoardSafe Docks, we believe access to the water should be available to everyone. As the industry leader in designing, engineering, and manufacturing accessible waterfront infrastructure, we work closely with park systems, municipalities, and engineers to create accessible solutions that provide safe, reliable, and inclusive access to the water.
Interested in improving accessibility at your waterfront destination? BoardSafe Docks offers complimentary site assessments to help identify the best solution for your location. Contact us at BoardSafeDocks.com and discover why communities trust BoardSafe to deliver innovative, durable, and universally accessible waterfront infrastructure.
#AdaptiveKayakLaunch #AccessibleRecreation #UniversalAccess #InclusiveOutdoors #PaddleAntrim #ChainOfLakesWaterTrail #AccessYourAdventure
Breaking Down Barriers to Outdoor Recreation at Willow River State Park
At BoardSafe, we're proud to partner with organizations that share our belief that access to nature should be available to everyone.
Thanks to the leadership, vision, and fundraising efforts of the Friends of Willow River and Kinnickinnic State Parks, a new BoardSafe Accessible Kayak Launch has been installed at Willow River State Park in Hudson, Wisconsin. The project was funded entirely through grants and community donations secured by a very dedicated Friends’ Group, whose commitment to universal access helped bring this vision to life.
The installation includes:
- 28-foot accessible gangway and kayak chute
- 8' x 16' aluminum floating dock
- kayak launch with adaptive boarding kit
The new launch creates a safer, more accessible way for individuals of all abilities to enjoy Little Falls Lake and experience the benefits of outdoor recreation.
A community ribbon-cutting celebration held on June 13 welcomed residents, supporters, and partners who helped make the project possible.
This launch is just one part of the Friends Group's broader mission. Their second major initiative is the development of a new state-of-the-art Nature Center that will expand environmental education opportunities, provide classroom space for up to 200 visitors, and support conservation efforts for future generations.
The Friends of Willow River and Kinnickinnic State Parks is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing Wisconsin's natural resources through conservation, education, and infrastructure improvements that benefit all visitors.
Interested in creating more accessible waterfront experiences in your community? BoardSafe specializes in innovative accessibility solutions that help remove barriers and connect more people with the outdoors. For more information, contact us at BoardSafeDocks.com.
#BoardSafe #AccessibleRecreation #UniversalAccess #KayakLaunch #AdaptiveRecreation #OutdoorsForAll #StateParks #AccessibilityMatters #WaterfrontAccess #Inclusion
BoardSafe Invests in Next Generation of Skilled Trades Professionals
At BoardSafe Docks in Fleetwood, Pennsylvania, building high-quality aluminum floating dock systems, adaptive kayak launches, gangways, and pedestrian bridges requires more than innovative engineering and craftsmanship; it requires skilled people. That's why we are proud to partner with Berks Career & Technology Center (BCTC) and support the development of the next generation of manufacturing and skilled trades professionals.
Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, such as those offered at BCTC, provide students with hands-on learning opportunities that prepare them for real-world careers. Through classroom instruction, technical training, and industry exposure, students gain the practical skills and experience needed to enter the workforce with confidence.
BoardSafe Docks has experienced firsthand the value of these programs. About a dozen of our current employees are graduates of BCTC training programs and have become important contributors to our company's success. Their technical knowledge, strong work ethic, and problem-solving abilities demonstrate that Career and Technical Education works.
As a growing manufacturer, BoardSafe Docks offers students opportunities to gain real-world experience through internships, co-op programs, facility tours, and direct interaction with industry professionals. These experiences help bridge the gap between education and employment while giving students a better understanding of career opportunities available in modern manufacturing and construction industries.
The need for skilled workers has never been greater. Industry reports indicate that for every five workers who retire from construction, manufacturing, and the skilled trades, only two new workers enter the workforce. This growing labor shortage presents a significant challenge for businesses across the country and highlights the importance of investing in workforce development programs.
Career and Technical Education is a critical part of the solution. By providing students with practical training, industry-recognized skills, and pathways to rewarding careers, programs like BCTC help strengthen local economies and create opportunities for future generations.
BoardSafe Docks is proud to be part of this effort. By partnering with BCTC, we are helping students explore meaningful career paths while supporting the development of a highly skilled workforce, essential to the future of American manufacturing, construction, and infrastructure.
The success of our employees who have graduated from BCTC serves as a powerful reminder that when educators, businesses, and communities work together, everyone benefits. Continued investment in Career and Technical Education is not only an investment in students, it's an investment in the future strength and competitiveness of our workforce and economy. Read about two of our recent graduates here:
Taking a Leap of Faith: How Andrew Found His Future in Drafting
Photo credit: BCTC
From Classroom to Career: Linkoln Builds a Future in Welding
Photo credit: BCTC
At BoardSafe Docks, we are honored to be part of the training initiative and workforce solution that helps talented young professionals turn their education into successful careers.
#BCTC #CareerEducation #WorkforceDevelopment #SkilledTrades #ConnectingStudentsWithCareers
Accessible Recreation Grows at Spring Creek Park in Altoona, Iowa
Accessible outdoor recreation continues to grow at Spring Creek Park in Altoona, Iowa!
Spring Creek Park recently expanded its accessible amenities with the addition of a BoardSafe Accessible Fishing Pier, complementing the park’s existing BoardSafe Adaptive Kayak Launch. Designed, engineered, and manufactured by BoardSafe Docks, these specialized access solutions help create more inclusive opportunities for people of all abilities to enjoy time on the water with family and friends.
Located on Spring Creek Park Lake, the accessible fishing pier provides anglers with a comfortable and convenient place to cast for bass, bluegill, catfish, and crappie. The lake also supports paddling and small watercraft with electric motors, making it a popular destination for outdoor recreation.
The new fishing pier is part of Altoona’s long-term vision to preserve the Mud Creek and Spring Creek corridors as vibrant recreational greenways while improving access for everyone in the community.
In addition to the fishing pier and adaptive kayak launch, visitors can enjoy other accessible park features, including hard-surface pathways, ramps, and accessible restrooms.
Read more about the park and its plan here:
Adaptive Amenity at Spring Creek Park
At BoardSafe Docks, we're proud to help communities create welcoming waterfront destinations where everyone can experience the benefits of fishing, paddling, and connecting with nature. Contact us at BoardSafeDocks.com for more information.
#BoardSafeDocks #AccessibleFishingPier #AdaptiveKayakLaunch #InclusiveRecreation #UniversalAccess #ParksAndRecreation #FishingForAll #OutdoorAccessibility #AccessYourAdventure #AltoonaIA
Heritage Park Lake Expands Access with BoardSafe Kayak Launch
Another community is expanding access to the water with a new BoardSafe Accessible Kayak Launch!
Recently installed at Heritage Park Lake in Olathe, Kansas, this new launch enhances access to the Heritage Park Marina, which is part of the Johnson County Park and Recreation District (JCPRD). Connected by a new ADA-accessible pathway to the existing dock, the launch provides paddlers with a safer, easier, and more independent way to enjoy the water.
Heritage Park is a premier outdoor recreation destination, spanning 1,239 acres and featuring a 40-acre lake, picnic shelters, playgrounds, dog parks, outdoor fitness equipment, sports fields, disc golf, and a championship golf course, offering something for everyone to enjoy.
BoardSafe designed and manufactured the following components for the launch:
- 4' x 40' Gangway
- 12' x 16' Floating Dock
- Adaptive Boarding Kit with Paddlers in Wheelchairs
- Accessible Kayak Launch
We're proud to help communities like Olathe create inclusive outdoor recreation opportunities that connect more people to nature and the joy of paddling.
BoardSafe Docks continues to lead the industry in accessible outdoor recreation infrastructure, helping parks, municipalities, and waterfront destinations create meaningful opportunities for everyone to enjoy nature, paddling, fishing, and life on the water.
For more information about improving accessibility at your park, lake, or waterfront, contact BoardSafe Docks at 610-899-0286 to discuss customized solutions for your accessibility challenges.
#AccessYourAdventure #AccessiblePaddling #Kayaking #UniversalAccess #OutdoorRecreation #BoardSafeDocks #AdaptiveRecreation #InclusionMatters
BoardSafe Accessible Kayak Launch Opens on the Kankakee in Wilmington, IL
The City of Wilmington, Illinois, is expanding access to outdoor recreation with the recent installation of a BoardSafe Accessible Kayak Launch on the beautiful Kankakee River.
Working on behalf of the Forest Preserve District of Will County, Chamlin & Associates collaborated closely with BoardSafe throughout the design process, allowing BoardSafe’s expertise in waterfront construction to guide the design on key structural elements including gangway length, support features, and a specialized anchoring system designed to secure the launch system to land during fluctuating water levels and flood events.
This project marks the second BoardSafe Accessible Kayak Launch installed in Will County. The first launch, located at Lake Chaminwood Preserve, has become a popular destination for kayaking and fishing, offering safe, convenient, and free access to the water for paddlers of all abilities.
Austin Tyler Construction, the project's general contractor, selected BoardSafe Docks to design and fabricate the launch system as part of the park's ongoing improvements. Installation support was provided by Kevin Jones of Blue Water Docks from Chattanooga, Tennessee.
The new launch is fully accessible from the parking area via a paved pathway and is designed to provide a safer, easier paddling experience for everyone. Features include:
- Wheelchair-accessible boarding bench
- Step-down bench with pull-out seat
- Overhead grab bar
- Grab straps and pull bars
- Secure kayak cradle to help prevent tipping during entry and exit
Together, these accessibility features support paddlers of all ages and abilities, creating a more inclusive recreational experience while connecting more people to the water.
The City of Wilmington continues to demonstrate its commitment to investing in parks, outdoor recreation, and accessible infrastructure. By improving access to the river, the city is helping residents and visitors connect with nature, enjoy healthy outdoor activities, and experience firsthand how accessible waterfront recreation benefits everyone.
As Mayor Ben Dietz recently shared, projects like this reflect the community's vision for creating welcoming outdoor spaces to be enjoyed by all.
For more information about BoardSafe's accessible waterfront solutions, visit BoardSafeDocks.com or call 610-899-0286. Whether you're enhancing a park, waterfront, marina, or community recreation area, BoardSafe can help create a customized solution that expands safe access to the water. Safe accessibility benefits everyone!
#AccessYourAdventure #AccessiblePaddling #Kayaking #UniversalAccess #OutdoorRecreation