Hendersonville Parks and Recreation recently celebrated the grand reopening of the Sanders Ferry Boat Ramp on the shores of Old Hickory Lake. This revitalized launch site now features three new BoardSafe Floating Boat Docks, improved gangways, and a fully renovated boat ramp, marking a significant investment in recreational access for boaters, kayakers, and anglers alike.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony brought together many political dignitaries, residents, and representatives from key state agencies, including the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), Tennessee State Parks, the Department of Tourist Development, and the City of Hendersonville. Many speakers highlighted the importance of this project for the broader Tennessee community.
This redevelopment is part of the Bill Dance Signature Lakes initiative, an ambitious statewide effort to enhance fishing and water recreation across Tennessee. The project was funded by TWRA and is designed to improve both the quality and accessibility of outdoor recreation spaces.
BoardSafe Docks, the designer and manufacturer behind the new infrastructure, plays a crucial role in delivering high-performance floating dock systems, gangways, kayak launches, and fishing piers for TWRA and TN State Parks. Known for their high-quality, durable products and commitment to accessibility, BoardSafe’s contribution ensures that these facilities can be safely and easily used by people of all ages and abilities.
Andy Gilley, Director of Hendersonville Parks and Recreation, called the renovation a “complete transformation.”
“The new docks are much longer and extend farther into the lake,” Gilley explained. “BoardSafe’s tournament-level docks will bring fishing tournaments to the city, including the high school state championships and professional fishing events. Everybody wins with the quality systems that have been installed.”
State Representative William Slater praised the project for balancing environmental stewardship with community enrichment:
“Tennessee gets conservation right,” Slater said. “Not only do we protect the environment, but we also strive to improve the quality of life for our citizens.”
Recreational use of Sanders Ferry Park continues to grow. According to the Hendersonville Parks and Recreation Department, more than 135,000 people visited the park in the past year, making it one of the most popular outdoor destinations in the region.
The Bill Dance Signature Lakes program represents a collaboration among TWRA, Tennessee State Parks, and the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. Together, they aim to make Tennessee the heart of sport fishing while boosting tourism and economic activity across the state.
BoardSafe Docks is honored to be part of the initiative and act as designer, engineer, and manufacturer of the gangways, floating courtesy boat docks, fishing piers, and kayak launches affiliated with this initiative across the state.
Legendary angler Bill Dance, who inspired the Signature Lakes initiative, emphasized the importance of creating a premier fishing experience with these projects:
“We’ve got to do these improvements with passion and quality, and that’s exactly what BoardSafe’s designs will bring to our waters,” Dance said.
Read more about the Sanders Ferry updates here:
Boat ramp upgraded on Old Hickory Lake – WKRN News 2
New Boat Ramp Opens in Hendersonville’s Sanders Ferry Park – Main Street Media
BoardSafe Docks is an industry leader in designing, engineering, and manufacturing aluminum marine access systems. With a focus on innovation, BoardSafe is known for our expertise, innovative problem-solving, and collaboration with clients to create customized solutions. Our high-quality products, which include adaptive kayak launches, accessible fishing piers, floating dock systems, gangways, and pedestrian bridges, are built to withstand challenging environmental conditions.
BoardSafe is committed to accessibility and will guide our customers to create systems that offer universal access and provide accommodations for a wide range of user abilities.
Contact us at BoardSafeDocks and allow us to assist you with improving water access points at your lake, river, or community, or give us a call at 610-899-0286 for your free consultation. #AccessYourAdventure