UNION SPRINGS – The Village of Union Springs, the Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway, and the Cayuga County Department of Planning & Economic Development are excited to invite the community to the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new ADA-compliant kayak launch at Frontenac Park. The kayak launch was constructed with funding provided by the New York State Department Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for New ADA-Compliant Kayak Launch at Frontenac Park of State (DOS) Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) under Title 11 of the Environmental Protection Fund.
The event will be held on Saturday, September 21st at 10:30 AM at Frontenac Park, located at 26 Chapel Street, Union Springs, NY 13160.
The installation of this state-of-the-art kayak launch marks a significant milestone in enhancing accessibility for all residents and visitors. As the premier boat and paddle craft launch site on Cayuga Lake, Frontenac Park now offers improved access for individuals of all abilities to enjoy the lake’s recreational opportunities. This new launch is one of the few ADA-compliant options along the 87-mile Blueway trail around Cayuga Lake, setting a new standard for inclusivity in the region.
The DOS LWRP program provided $63,045 in funding for the project, as well as $146,245 for the Cayuga Lake Blueway Trail plan development and Phase 1 improvements. Union Springs, in partnership with the Villages of Aurora and Cayuga, also received a $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative award this year from DOS.
We warmly invite the community to join us in celebrating this important addition to our local infrastructure. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will highlight Cayuga County’s commitment to providing equitable, accessible recreational facilities for everyone. Anyone with questions may contact Kari Terwilliger, Director, at the Cayuga County Department of Planning & Economic Development at (315) 253-1485.
“The completion and implementation of Phase two of the Cayuga Lake Blueway Trail is a major step forward in providing inclusive access to the Cayuga Lake waterfront for people of all ages and abilities,” said New York Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley. “The Village of Union Springs has embraced its role as a vibrant waterfront community, and this new amenity will offer the local community and tourists another exciting way to enjoy Cayuga Lake. The Department of State is proud to have contributed Local Waterfront Revitalization Program funding to this remarkable project, as well as a $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative award to Union Springs and its neighboring communities of Aurora and Cayuga.”
“The Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway, Inc. is excited to add this inclusive, state-of-the-art amenity to the Blueway Trail. Village of Union Springs leaders recognize the importance of being a waterfront community and are building resources that encourage village and area residents and visitors to the area to engage with our beautiful freshwater lake. Thank you to Mayor Rob Thurston, DPW Superintendent Joe Smith and staff, and Village Clerk Christine Van Horn for your dedication to make this facility a reality. Also, thank you to the Cayuga County Director of Planning Kari Terwilliger for being an ardent supporter of the Byway and Blueway Trail.”—Sue Poelvoorde, Executive Director, Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway, Inc.
“The Cayuga County Department of Planning and Economic Development is thrilled to
introduce this groundbreaking and accessible addition to the Cayuga Lake Blueway Trail. The Village of Union Springs has truly embraced its role as a vibrant waterfront community, and this new amenity will offer both residents and visitors a meaningful way to engage with Cayuga Lake. Supporting the Village of Union Springs and the Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway and Blueway Trail has been an honor, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact this facility will have on our community.”—Kari Terwilliger, Director, Cayuga County Department of Planning and Economic Development
BoardSafe Docks understands the value an accessible launch brings to communities.
An accessible kayak launch with adaptive features benefits a significant portion of the population, including people with mobility impairments, older adults, and people with temporary injuries or permanent conditions. Ask any adaptive kayaker about their feelings of enjoyment, liberation, and empowerment after they complete a paddle. Many will tell you they cannot wait to get back out on the water!
Kayaking promotes healthy living, connects friends and families with each other and with nature, and encourages paddlers to be good stewards in caring for our natural resources.
BoardSafe prides itself on developing a trusting and respectful relationship with its clients throughout the design and manufacturing process. Their team understands their products’ impact on communities and has witnessed their product designs improve lifestyles for the adaptive and recreation-loving communities they serve. They are proud of the partnerships they develop with their customers and appreciate the opportunity to develop their customers’ visions and turn them into legacies of waterfront inclusivity for generations to come. For more information, contact us at 610-899-0286 or through our website at BoardSafeDocks.com.