Jasper County, IA: Accessible Fishing Pier Opens Doors to Fishing
A community investment in accessibility brings families together, introduces young anglers to fishing, and creates lasting opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the outdoors.
In Jasper County, Iowa, a community-driven initiative is making a meaningful difference in how residents experience the outdoors. Thanks to the dedication of the Jasper Conservation Connection, a nonprofit organization committed to enhancing local parks and recreational opportunities, residents and visitors now have access to a new BoardSafe Docks Accessible Fishing Pier.
More than simply adding a new park amenity, this project represents an investment in accessibility, outdoor education, and community connection. By removing physical barriers to fishing, Jasper County is creating opportunities for individuals of all ages and abilities to enjoy one of America's favorite outdoor pastimes.
Bringing the Community Together, One Cast at a Time
The value of an accessible fishing pier became especially evident when Jasper County recently hosted a youth fishing event at the Outdoor Mentor Legacy Pond.
Approximately 150 participants gathered for a memorable day of fishing, family fun, and outdoor recreation. Young anglers cast their lines, reeled in fish, and experienced the excitement of fishing, including the thrill of catching several tagged fish.
For many children, events like these provide an introduction to fishing and help develop an appreciation for nature and outdoor recreation. They also offer opportunities for parents, grandparents, mentors, and volunteers to share their knowledge, teach new skills, and create lasting memories.
The new accessible fishing pier helped provide a welcoming setting for this community celebration.
When communities invest in accessible recreation, they create opportunities that extend far beyond the individuals who use the facilities. They bring people together, encourage participation, and help build stronger connections across generations.
Accessibility Creates Opportunities for Everyone
For individuals with mobility challenges, traditional fishing locations can present significant obstacles. Uneven shorelines, steep embankments, muddy surfaces, and unstable footing can make reaching the water difficult or even impossible.
An accessible fishing pier changes that experience.
BoardSafe Docks designs and manufactures accessible floating fishing piers that help communities remove these physical barriers and welcome more people to the waterfront.
A properly designed accessible fishing pier allows wheelchair users, individuals with limited mobility, older adults, and families with young children to approach the water on a more stable, accessible surface.
These improvements also benefit veterans with disabilities, individuals recovering from injuries, and anyone who needs additional support when navigating outdoor environments.
Accessibility is not simply about meeting a design requirement. It is about giving people the opportunity to participate, connect, and enjoy the same recreational experiences as their friends, families, and neighbors.
When a grandparent can accompany a grandchild to the water's edge, or a person who uses a wheelchair can participate in a community fishing event, the value of accessible infrastructure becomes personal.
Designed for Accessibility, Engineered for Long-Term Community Value
BoardSafe Docks specializes in designing and manufacturing commercial waterfront infrastructure that combines accessibility, structural durability, and long-term performance.
Its accessible fishing piers incorporate features that help improve safety, stability, and usability for people with a wide range of physical abilities.
Key design features include:
- Accessible Gangways: Engineered gangways connect the shoreline to the floating fishing platform, providing a more accessible route to the water. BoardSafe designs gangway lengths, slopes, and transitions around site conditions and applicable accessibility requirements.
- Welded Aluminum Construction: Durable aluminum frames provide structural strength for commercial waterfront environments while reducing maintenance demands.
- Accessible Handrails and Protective Panels: Configurable handrail systems, protective mesh panels, and toe kicks help improve safety for wheelchair users and other visitors.
- Floating Dock Systems: Floating platforms adjust to changing water levels, helping maintain access throughout varying water conditions. Properly designed gangway transitions accommodate this movement.
- Customizable Modular Designs: BoardSafe's aluminum dock systems allow communities to select configurations that address their waterfront conditions, recreational needs, and anticipated public use.
BoardSafe designs each system with the understanding that public waterfront infrastructure must withstand changing environmental conditions, frequent use, and the demands of long-term operation.
For municipalities, conservation organizations, and park departments, this approach helps protect their investment while supporting reliable recreational access for years to come.
Introducing the Next Generation to Fishing and Conservation
The benefits of Jasper County's accessible fishing pier extend beyond the structure itself.
Youth fishing programs introduce children to outdoor skills while encouraging patience, confidence, responsibility, and respect for the environment.
Through hands-on experiences, young anglers can learn about fish habitats, water quality, conservation practices, and the importance of protecting natural resources.
Accessible facilities also make it easier for organizations to plan inclusive fishing programs, educational activities, and community events that welcome participants with different physical abilities.
The Outdoor Mentor Legacy Pond event demonstrates how a well-designed recreational facility can support these experiences.
By bringing approximately 150 community members together, the event highlighted the power of outdoor recreation to strengthen relationships, promote healthy activities, and inspire the next generation of anglers.
A child's first fishing experience may last only a few hours, but the memories, skills, and appreciation for the outdoors can last a lifetime.
A Community Investment That Makes a Lasting Impact
Projects like the Jasper County accessible fishing pier demonstrate what communities can accomplish when local organizations, supporters, and residents share a common vision.
Through local fundraising and collaboration, Jasper Conservation Connection helped turn the goal of more inclusive fishing access into a valuable community resource.
The result is more than a fishing platform. It is a place where families can gather, young people can discover new interests, experienced anglers can share their knowledge, and individuals with mobility challenges can participate more fully in outdoor recreation.
Accessible waterfront infrastructure can also help parks expand programming, attract additional visitors, and strengthen the overall recreational value of public spaces.
Most importantly, these investments communicate a powerful message: Everyone deserves the opportunity to experience the outdoors.
BoardSafe Docks is proud to provide waterfront infrastructure that helps communities like Jasper County make that vision a reality.
Make Your Waterfront More Accessible with BoardSafe Docks
Whether your community wants to introduce youth to fishing, expand adaptive recreation programs, or improve accessibility at an existing park, BoardSafe Docks can help you develop a waterfront solution designed for your site and the people who use it.
From accessible fishing piers and ADA-accessible gangways to adaptive kayak launches and floating dock systems, BoardSafe combines thoughtful design, engineering, and durable aluminum construction to create long-lasting public recreational infrastructure.
Because investing in accessibility means investing in people, community connections, and opportunities for generations to come.
Learn more about BoardSafe Docks' accessible fishing piers, gangways, and waterfront solutions.
Website: www.BoardSafeDocks.com
Phone: 610-899-0286
BoardSafe Docks and Creating Ability Present an Option to Make Paddling More Accessible at #NRPA2026
What an amazing week at #NRPA2026! Thank you to everyone who visited our booth to learn more about BoardSafe and HIVE PaddleSports. We had great conversations with parks and recreation teams from all over the country how our waterfront infrastructure provides long-term access for everyone.
A special thank-you to our partners at @Creating Ability. Seeing the new boarding bench we built together in people's hands (and listening to their feedback) was one of the highlights of the show. Two companies. One shared goal: Making the water more accessible to everyone!
BoardSafe's redesigned boarding bench, includes an improved molded seat from our partner at Creating Ability, while BoardSafe provides the aluminum base to the structure that attaches to BoardSafe’s infrastructure.
If you missed us in Philadelphia and want to learn more, send us a message [email protected] or [email protected]. Our high traffic, heavy use infrastructure is designed and built for a lasting impact on lakes, rivers and communities looking to provide universal access to all looking to enjoy time on the water. We would love to help you access your adventure.
#AdaptiveRecreation #AccessibleParks #AccessYourAdventure #BoardSafeProvidesTheAccessHiveProvidesTheExperience
BoardSafe and Creating Ability, Collaborating to Make Paddling More Accessible
Collaborating to Make Paddling More Accessible
BoardSafeDocks believes in the details that make a real difference. Our latest collaboration with Creating Ability focuses on the wheelchair-to-kayak transition — a small change to the launch experience that means a lot to the people using it.
Learn more here about our two companies here: Adaptive Kayak Launch - BoardSafe & SideStep – Creating Ability
BoardSafeDocks and Creating Ability have collaborated and modified Creating Ability’s SideStep Bench, a bench designed to help wheelchair users safely move to and from low surfaces. BoardSafeDocks will be using the modified SideStep on their Adaptive Kayak Launch, making it even more accessible to those who need accommodations to enter their kayak.
Here’s a sneak peak of what the new bench looks like:
Stop by our booth #2601 at #NRPA2026 to see how the bench works and what the SideStep looks like on our Adaptive Kayak Launch. Meet Scott Tihansky, Tom Warchol, and David Tihansky from BoardSafe Docks, and Kevin Carr from Creating Ability, and see what happens when experience, innovation, and a shared commitment to accessibility come together!
Our collaboration is about removing barriers between people and the water.
Two Companies. One Shared Goal.
BoardSafeDocks helps paddlers access the water with waterfront infrastructure.
Creating Ability designs adaptive paddling equipment for an improved paddling experience.
We look forward to seeing you at Booth #2601 | #NRPA2026 | Philadelphia Convention Center I September 29–30, 2026
@BoardSafeDocks @CreatingAbility @NRPA2026
#AdaptiveRecreation #AccessibleParks #AccessYourAdventure #TransferBench #SideStep
BoardSafe Docks + Creating Ability: Working Together to Make Paddling More Accessible
Two leaders in adaptive paddling are collaborating on a better way to help paddlers of all abilities get on the water.
For adaptive paddlers, one of the most challenging parts of getting on the water can happen before the paddle ever begins: transferring safely and comfortably from a wheelchair into a kayak.Over the past several months, BoardSafe Docks and Creating Ability have been working together to explore a practical solution designed to make that important transition easier, more comfortable, and more accessible for paddlers of all abilities.
It’s a collaboration that makes sense. BoardSafe Docks has built its Adaptive Kayak Launch around something we believe is essential to good design: listen to the people who actually use it.
BoardSafe's Adaptive Kayak Launch was developed with input from adaptive paddlers, members of the Team River Runner community, recreation and physical therapists, disability advocates, and individuals including Ken Ryno, Bill Bogdan, Robert Amelio Jr., and others, who understand firsthand the challenges of accessing the water.
That input has helped BoardSafe continue to improve an adaptive launch system designed to provide greater independence, stability, and confidence at the water’s edge.
Creating Ability brings another important piece to that experience.
Since 2004, Creating Ability has helped make paddling possible for people with a wide range of abilities through adaptive kayaking equipment, education, demonstrations, and hands-on support. The company provides outfitted adaptive kayaks and specialized paddling equipment designed to help more people experience the freedom and enjoyment of being on the water. Creating Ability has traveled tens of thousands of miles supporting adaptive paddling events, organizations, individuals with disabilities, and their families.
Two Companies. One Shared Goal.
BoardSafe helps paddlers access the water.
Creating Ability helps paddlers adapt the paddling experience.
Now, we're bringing those areas of expertise together to address one of the most important moments in adaptive paddling: the transfer from wheelchair to kayak. And we’re excited to share what we've been working on.
See It at #NRPA2026
BoardSafe Docks and Creating Ability will share Booth #2601 at the 2026 NRPA Annual Conference at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.
We’ll be in the Exhibit Hall: September 29–30, 2026
Stop by Booth #2601 to meet Scott Tihansky and Tom Warchol from BoardSafe Docks and Kevin Carr from Creating Ability, and see what can happen when experience, innovation, and a shared commitment to accessibility come together.
This collaboration is about more than equipment. It’s about removing barriers between people and the water.
Stop back Monday for another pre-show announcement and a closer look at what we'll be bringing to Philadelphia.
We look forward to seeing you at Booth #2601 | NRPA 2026 | Philadelphia
Meredith Adaptive Launch Brings Universal Access to Leavitt Park
The Town of Meredith, New Hampshire, has taken a significant step toward creating a more inclusive waterfront experience with the installation of a new BoardSafe Accessible Kayak Launch at Leavitt Park. This innovative addition will provide residents and visitors of all abilities with safe, independent access to the waters of Lake Winnipesaukee, reinforcing the community’s commitment to ensuring that outdoor recreation is accessible to everyone.
For many individuals with mobility challenges, the simple act of launching a kayak can present significant barriers, and often what keeps them away. Traditional boat launches and shoreline access points often make it difficult or impossible for paddlers with disabilities, seniors, veterans, or individuals recovering from injuries to safely enter and exit a kayak. The new BoardSafe Accessible Kayak Launch eliminates many of these obstacles through thoughtfully designed adaptive features that support greater independence and confidence on the water.
Located along the scenic shoreline of Leavitt Park, the launch creates new opportunities for residents and visitors to experience the physical, emotional, and social benefits of paddlesports. Access to the water promotes active lifestyles, encourages outdoor exploration, and fosters connections with nature that can improve overall well-being. It welcomes good stewardship of our natural resources, and many friendships are formed on this common ground.
The project at Leavitt Park would not have been possible without the dedication and vision of Paula Wanzer, Chair of the Meredith Adaptive Launch Committee. Recognizing the need for improved waterfront accessibility, Wanzer spearheaded the effort to bring the project to life and, along with a very committed team, served as the driving force behind raising awareness throughout their community.
Wanzer first introduced the BoardSafe Accessible Kayak Launch concept to the Meredith Parks and Recreation Department, local community organizations, and the Rotary Club. She and her team worked tirelessly to build support, educate stakeholders about the importance of universal accessibility, and inspire community members to invest in a project that would benefit generations to come.
The team’s commitment reflects a broader vision embraced by the Town of Meredith, one that recognizes that public parks and recreational opportunities should be available to everyone, regardless of age, ability, or physical limitations. At the launch’s recent ribbon cutting, Wanzer shared sentiments that “Accessibility is about more than compliance; it’s about belonging. This launch ensures that more people can experience the joy, freedom, and therapeutic benefits of being on the water.”
Read more about the ribbon cutting here: Ribbon-cutting at Meredith Adaptive Paddling Launch marks new chapter in town’s commitment to supporting residents | Boating | laconiadailysun.com
BoardSafe Docks is proud to partner with communities like Meredith that are committed to removing barriers and creating universal access to water. Projects like the Meredith Adaptive Launch serve as powerful examples of how thoughtful infrastructure can strengthen communities, increase recreational opportunities, and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of life on the water.
The new accessible launch at Leavitt Park stands as a lasting reminder that when accessibility becomes a priority, entire communities benefit.
For more information on finding an access solution to your waterfront for paddling, fishing, or boating, contact BoardSafeDocks.com.
From Coast to Coast, BoardSafe Builds Access
As we celebrate Independence Day and the 250th Anniversary of the USA, BoardSafeDocks would like to wish you and your loved ones a safe and happy Fourth of July!
Whether you are heading to a family gathering, a community celebration, or plan to spend the day on the water, fishing, paddling, or boating, BoardSafeDocks is proud to help create waterfront infrastructure that’s accessible to all. Waterfront communities have grown to count on us for our safe, convenient, and seamless access to the water.
As you celebrate this holiday weekend, please remember to wear your US Coast Guard personal flotation device with an attached whistle, leave a float plan with a family member, carry plenty of water and a first aid kit, and stay alert to weather and water conditions.
From BoardSafe’s family to yours, have a safe, enjoyable, and memorable Independence Day.
Happy Fourth of July! 🇺🇲
Ellsworth River Park Improves Access with BoardSafe Kayak Launch
Another community is expanding access to the water!
A new BoardSafe Adaptive Kayak Launch has been installed at Ellsworth River Park in Michigan, serving as a key access point along the 100-mile Chain of Lakes Water Trail.
Designed for paddlers of all abilities, the launch features an ADA gangway, a wheelchair-height boarding bench with a pullout seat, overhead grab bars, grab straps, pull bars, and a secure kayak cradle that provides stability during entry and exit.
The Ellsworth installation represents another important milestone in a broader regional initiative to create a fully accessible point-to-point paddling experience throughout the Chain of Lakes Water Trail. Similar BoardSafe Adaptive Kayak Launches have recently been installed at Elk Rapids Rotary Park and other locations across Michigan, expanding recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike.
A formal ribbon-cutting for Ellsworth River Park is scheduled for September 2026 during the annual Paddle Antrim Festival. Paddle Antrim continues to lead efforts to remove barriers and improve accessibility along the water trail, ensuring that more people can experience the beauty and benefits of Michigan's waterways.
As Paddle Antrim Executive Director Deana Jerdee stated, "We are not just adding infrastructure; we are removing barriers."
At BoardSafe Docks, we believe access to the water should be available to everyone. As the industry leader in designing, engineering, and manufacturing accessible waterfront infrastructure, we work closely with park systems, municipalities, and engineers to create accessible solutions that provide safe, reliable, and inclusive access to the water.
Interested in improving accessibility at your waterfront destination? BoardSafe Docks offers complimentary site assessments to help identify the best solution for your location. Contact us at BoardSafeDocks.com and discover why communities trust BoardSafe to deliver innovative, durable, and universally accessible waterfront infrastructure.
#AdaptiveKayakLaunch #AccessibleRecreation #UniversalAccess #InclusiveOutdoors #PaddleAntrim #ChainOfLakesWaterTrail #AccessYourAdventure
Heritage Park Lake Expands Access with BoardSafe Kayak Launch
Another community is expanding access to the water with a new BoardSafe Accessible Kayak Launch!
Recently installed at Heritage Park Lake in Olathe, Kansas, this new launch enhances access to the Heritage Park Marina, which is part of the Johnson County Park and Recreation District (JCPRD). Connected by a new ADA-accessible pathway to the existing dock, the launch provides paddlers with a safer, easier, and more independent way to enjoy the water.
Heritage Park is a premier outdoor recreation destination, spanning 1,239 acres and featuring a 40-acre lake, picnic shelters, playgrounds, dog parks, outdoor fitness equipment, sports fields, disc golf, and a championship golf course, offering something for everyone to enjoy.
BoardSafe designed and manufactured the following components for the launch:
- 4' x 40' Gangway
- 12' x 16' Floating Dock
- Adaptive Boarding Kit with Paddlers in Wheelchairs
- Accessible Kayak Launch
We're proud to help communities like Olathe create inclusive outdoor recreation opportunities that connect more people to nature and the joy of paddling.
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, lake, or waterfront, contact BoardSafe Docks at 610-899-0286 to discuss customized solutions for your accessibility challenges.
#AccessYourAdventure #AccessiblePaddling #Kayaking #UniversalAccess #OutdoorRecreation #BoardSafeDocks #AdaptiveRecreation #InclusionMatters
Visit the 2026 ASLA Southeast Regional Conference Today!
The 2026 ASLA Southeast Regional Conference is happening this weekend, May 29th through June 1st, at the Raleigh Convention Center in Downtown Raleigh, NC.
See Tom and Kelly of BoardSafeDocks and HivePaddlesports, and hear how we can design, engineer, and fabricate your waterfront infrastructure and help you #AccessYourAdventure on the water!
#UniversalAccess #AccessibleKayaking #FishingPiers #Gangways #PedestrianBridges #CourtesyBoatDocks
Urbana Improves Access and Strengthens Connections at Keuka Lake Inlet
The completion of the Glenn H. Curtiss Park in the Town of Urbana, Village of Hammondsport, NY, marks far more than the opening of a new recreational space; it represents a major investment in the quality of life, accessibility, and economic vitality.
The new park expands opportunities for outdoor recreation while strengthening connections between existing public parks and waterfront destinations. The project’s goal was to create a more connected, welcoming, and vibrant waterfront for residents and visitors alike. The improvements at the Keuka Lake Inlet include pedestrian walkways, a shared-use path, upgraded boardwalk features, seasonal lighting, landscaping, picnic areas, interpretive signage, and an accessible waterfront that creates a gathering place for walking, biking, paddling, and community engagement along the lakeshore.
One of the project’s most meaningful additions along the water is BoardSafeDock's Accessible Kayak Launch and ADA-compliant Gangway, which helps ensure people of all ages and abilities can safely experience Keuka Lake, while promoting better health, wellness, and social benefits of spending time outdoors. These accessible features reinforce the community’s commitment to inclusivity and equal access to recreation.
The adaptive roll cage includes a 4-tiered boarding bench, overhead grab bar and grab straps, a pull-out seat, a stable and secure kayak saddle and chute, and pull bars for a smooth launch into the water.
The park’s accessible amenities are expected to strengthen tourism and local economic activity and attract visitors to the waterfront.
There’s a special history about the park, which was named in honor of aviation pioneer Glenn H. Curtiss. New York’s Secretary of State, Walter T. Mosley, noted: “This project creates a vibrant and accessible destination for residents and visitors to enjoy for generations to come.”
BoardSafe Docks is proud to design, engineer, and manufacture waterfront solutions that give universal, safe access to the water for all paddlers. For more information about an accessible solution for your waterfront, contact BoardSafeDocks.com at 610-899-0286.