New Adventure, access, and community connection have arrived at Beaubien Woods! Nestled in the Forest Preserves of Cook County, Beaubien Woods is a 279-acre natural gem where prairie, woodland, and wetland habitats meet. Centered around scenic Flatfoot Lake—the vibrant preserve that is located off W. Doty Ave S, just southeast of E 130th St. and S Ellis Ave. in Chicago—Beaubien Woods has become an even more exciting destination for paddlers, anglers, and families alike.
A New Era for Beaubien Woods
The Forest Preserves of Cook County (FPDCC) recently unveiled a wave of new improvements at a recent ribbon-cutting celebration. The star attraction was a BoardSafeDocks Accessible Canoe and Kayak Launch, designed to open the water to paddlers of all ages and abilities. The project also features comfortable riverside seating, a program shelter, interpretive signage, and an upgraded fishing boardwalk that invites everyone to explore and enjoy the beauty of the Little Calumet River.
From the moment you enter the preserve, accessibility takes center stage. The park’s inclusive picnic shelter welcomes all visitors, while a sturdy dock stretches out over the 19-acre Flatfoot Lake. The lake is an inviting spot to share laughter, launch a kayak, or cast a fishing line. The lake, stocked with channel catfish and bluegill-sunfish hybrids, is a favorite for local anglers and youth programs alike.
Nature, Community, and Celebration
At the ribbon-cutting event, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle captured the spirit of the day:
“Beaubien Woods is a place where our community, culture, and nature can now come together. These new amenities will allow visitors of all ages and abilities to fish, paddle, picnic, and participate in programs that celebrate this site’s natural beauty and history. The investments create more equitable access to outdoor recreation on Chicago’s South Side and promote stewardship and the spirit of inclusion in Cook County.”
Bill Bogdan, Disability Liaison at the Secretary of State’s office, demonstrates how to use BoardSafe’s Accessible Kayak Launch. Bogdan’s opinion about the launch is, “It’s awesome.” Bogdan also serves on the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s accessibility advisory board and said, “I feel our forest preserves are hidden gems. I plan to continue to increase accessibility awareness for people with disabilities. I’m going to make sure I hold them to the tag line, ‘nature is for everyone.’ It’s great to be able to launch our kayaks safely and easily.”
Learn more about Beaubien Woods | Openlands. Openlands is a conservation partner that highlights the accessible features, including the fishing pier, kayak launch, and picnic shelter at the updated site.
That spirit of conservation and collaboration runs deep. The Field Museum and Calumet Stewardship Initiative regularly organize volunteer days focused on cleanup, invasive species removal, and habitat restoration. Each June, community partners and the Forest Preserves host a free family nature festival, turning Beaubien Woods into a lively hub of music, laughter, and discovery.
With its mix of restored landscapes, accessible design, and a renewed sense of community connection, Beaubien Woods is once again proving that nature belongs to everyone. We hope you’ll take the time to check out these new accessible sites that are part of the draw to the preserve.
Praise from paddlers who require additional accommodations and features found on a BoardSafe Accessible Kayak Launch shows evidence of how BoardSafe’s inclusive design can impact a community and how the launch naturally meets the needs of paddlers in wheelchairs. This is the spirit of innovation and inclusion that BoardSafe Docks embodies.
Here’s to continued success in making waterfronts accessible to all! For more information about BoardSafe’s Accessible Kayak Launch, accessible fishing piers, and courtesy boat docks, contact us at 610-899-0286.
#BeaubienWoods #AccessibleKayaking #FPDCC #AccessibleFishing #UniversalAccess #NatureisforEveryone