At BoardSafe, we are honored to play a key role in expanding equitable access along the newly designated Fabulous Fox! National Water Trail. The trail is a 158-mile paddling route that winds through the scenic towns and landscapes of southeast Wisconsin into northeast Illinois. As the National Park Service works with communities along the trail, we are proud to have designed, engineered, and manufactured five fully accessible floating dock systems, all equipped with our industry-leading BoardSafe Adaptive Kayak Launch.
In partnership with Kane County and the Fabulous Fox! Water Trail team, our adaptive kayak launches are now present at Carpentersville (Riverfront Park), East Dundee (Bartels Park), South Elgin (SEBA Park), Batavia, and Montgomery (Montgomery Park). Every launch is built with universal design at its core, ensuring safe, stable, and independent access for all paddlers. The universal access launch system is designed to include paddlers of all abilities, including individuals with limited mobility, balance challenges, or paralysis from the waist down. Offering wheelchair access from land, our boarding bench allows paddlers to transfer from their wheelchair down to their kayak, using an overhead grab bar, hand straps, and rails to pull their kayak into the water. Each feature allows paddlers to enter and exit their kayak with confidence, stability, and dignity.
These accessible systems support the Water Trail’s mission to welcome everyone to the Fabulous Fox! River and explore forest corridors, historic river towns, and vibrant community waterfronts with restaurants, cultural attractions, and public amenities.
Site preparation for the five locations began in August 2025, with Hey and Associates, Inc., providing engineering for the larger Fabulous Fox! Water Trail Infrastructure Project. While the docks were removed for winter protection, they will return each spring and be ready for paddlers of every age, experience level, and ability to enjoy.
BoardSafe is proud to help communities realize their vision of inclusive outdoor recreation. On the Fabulous Fox! National Water Trail accessibility is not an add-on; it’s a promise the National Park Service wants to offer to its visitors. We’re honored that our adaptive kayak launches are opening the FabFox! River to more people than ever before.
Carpentersville’s Riverfront Park @ 1430 Riverside Park, Carpentersville, offers direct access to scenic stretches of the Fox River and plenty of nearby green space to enjoy before or after your paddle.
Bartels Park, 1330 Bartels Park, in East Dundee, is a welcoming riverside park that’s perfect for families and paddlers looking for calm waters and convenient access right in East Dundee.
SEBA Park, at 1130 SEBA Park, South Elgin, is a community favorite. SEBA Park now offers an easy entry point for kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards, with beautiful river views.
Montgomery Park, at 845 Montgomery, connects paddlers to both upstream and downstream adventures while enjoying a vibrant park setting.
Clark Island Recreation Area, at 1000 Clark Island, Batavia, offers a paddle surrounded by history and natural beauty. Clark Island is a hub for recreation, offering trails, picnicking, and now, direct river access for all.
You can read more about the project highlights here: wherethefoxgoes.com/5newBoardSafeKayakLaunches/.
For more information about this project or others, visit BoardSafeDocks.com or call us at 610-899-0286. BoardSafeDocks is also a nationally recognized manufacturer of aluminum boat docks, fishing piers, gangways, pedestrian bridges, and other waterfront access products.