A groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, April 22, 2024, celebrated a new park amenity at Spring Creek Park in Altoona, IA. The newly-installed BoardSafe Adaptive Kayak Launch provides universal access to paddlers who enjoy kayaking and canoeing.
The boat launch project was partially funded by a $20,000 Prairie Meadows grant. Prairie Meadows is one of only two nonprofit casinos in the U.S., and for almost 30 years, they have averaged more than $27 million per year in supporting the arts, culture, healthcare, education, and infrastructure initiatives across central Iowa.
The universal access kayak launch at Spring Creek Park offers paddlers with disabilities the ability to enter and exit their kayak using adaptive features designed and manufactured by BoardSafe Docks of Fleetwood, PA. The inclusive amenities found in the adaptive launch are life-changing for those who need them, and also make accessing the vessel easier for beginning paddlers, children, seniors, and anyone with mobility challenges and limitations. The features allow for easy boarding of the vessel, and the cradle launch keeps the kayak stable, enabling paddlers to keep their feet dry during the entering and exit process. What keeps most paddlers from kayaking and canoeing is the challenge of getting in and out of the vessel; slipping, sliding, and tipping over are not a concern when boarding from a BoardSafe Adaptive Kayak Launch.
Monday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony was organized by city officials and celebrated the first-of-its-kind launch in their area. They’re hoping it will encourage other towns and communities to do the same. The mayor provided a demonstration of the launch, showing how easy it will be for park users to get in and out of their kayak or canoe.
“Paddling at the park increases park visitor’s connection to the water, to our community, and each other,” reported Town Mayor Dean O’Connor. Future phases at Spring Creek Park will add trails, fishing piers, and additional recreational amenities.
Watch the mayor demonstrate the launch here:
https://x.com/CityofAltoonaIA/status/1782513174601703548
The new BoardSafe Adaptive Kayak Launch is located on the south pond of Spring Creek Park, near the intersection of Northwest 80th Street and 30th Street Southeast in Altoona, IA. The fully-inclusive kayak launch will improve the user experience for those looking to get out on the water and propel around the lake. Fishing is common at the lake, where the south pond is reported to be up to 45 feet deep and hosts a variety of fish, including catfish, bluegill, bass, and crappie.
For more information about BoardSafe’s Adaptive Kayak Launch, Accessible Fishing Piers, Gangways, and Pedestrian Bridges, please view our projects at BoardSafeDocks.com or contact us at 610-899-0286. We specialize in guiding our customers through accessibility projects and help communities connect paddlers with nature and the great outdoors. Let us help you #AccessYourAdventure!