On April 28, 2026, BoardSafe Docks proudly celebrated the ribbon-cutting for the new BoardSafe Accessible Kayak Launch at Lock C5 Island in Schuylerville, New York. The event brought together community leaders, outdoor recreation advocates, and accessibility champions to commemorate a significant step forward in inclusive waterfront access along the historic Champlain Canal.
The celebration featured remarks from Hudson Crossing Park Executive Director Kate Morse and representatives from the New York State Canal Corporation, who highlighted the importance of expanding recreational opportunities while preserving the region’s rich canal heritage.
This project marks the first BoardSafe Docks installation on the Champlain Canal, a historically significant waterway connecting Lake Champlain to the Erie Canal and the Hudson River. Managed by the Canal Corporation, the Champlain Canal and other feeder canals, including the Cayuga Canal linking the Finger Lakes region to the Erie Canal and the Oswego Canal connecting Lake Ontario to the Erie Canal, are part of ongoing enhancement efforts through 2028. These waterways continue to play a vital role in New York’s history, tourism, and outdoor recreation economy.
One of the most inspiring moments of the ribbon-cutting came when Jim Nolan, former Town of Greenwich Supervisor and a Hudson Crossing Park committee member living with quadriplegia, demonstrated the adaptive launch’s effectiveness by independently accessing the water. His experience powerfully illustrated the mission behind every BoardSafe project: creating safe, inclusive outdoor access for people of all abilities.
The new BoardSafe Accessible Kayak Launch incorporates several innovative accessibility features designed to support adaptive paddlers and improve independent water access, including:
- A four-step boarding bench that allows users to transition from a wheelchair or standing position into a kayak safely and comfortably.
- An overhead grab bar, grab straps, and pull-out sliding bench that provide additional leverage and stability during boarding.
- An accessible gangway connecting the floating dock system directly to the park’s trail network.
- Adaptive paddling support equipment from Creating Ability, including kayaks equipped with stability outriggers, higher seat backs, and one-hand paddle mounts.
This accessible launch system was connected to an existing dock at the site, with installation completed by Schultz Contracting.
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, stream, or waterfront, contact BoardSafe Docks at 610-899-0286 to discuss customized solutions for your accessibility challenges.