BoardSafe Is a Member of PA COSTARS' Purchasing Program
BoardSafe is a participant in the Pennsylvania COSTARS Cooperative Purchasing Program. COSTARS is the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's cooperative purchasing program that serves as a conduit through which registered and eligible local public procurement units and state-affiliated entities are able to leverage contracts established to cost-effectively and efficiently identify suppliers with whom to do business. This streamlines the purchasing process for both sides.
The COSTARS Program's goal is to provide members with contracts that are competitively priced while delivering increased opportunities for our supplier and member partners.
Membership in COSTAR facilitates the purchase of supplies, services, and construction by entities that spend public funds, such as a council of governments or an area government, or an organization that receives public grant funds.
COSTARS suppliers, such as BoardSafe, must demonstrate high standards of responsibility and responsiveness. Many purchasers use a shortlist of preferred suppliers that they know they can depend on to deliver the goods in a timely manner and at competitive prices. Amazing customer service plus competitive pricing will go a long way to winning a member’s project!
Government agencies large and small, up and down the East Coast, have found BoardSafe to be a reliable supplier of the finest aluminum floating docks, gangways, adaptive kayak launches, and other marine recreation products. We have lived up to their COSTARS standards and reputation.
Other clients, from private citizens to boating and kayak clubs to public schools and universities, have relied on the trusted BoardSafe name.
For more information, contact us at 610-899-0286 or continue to browse our website, especially our Projects page.
Environmental Benefits of BoardSafe Floating Docks
BoardSafe strives to be environment-friendly in all our operations. Our materials are selected for their durability and sustainability. We design systems that do not hinder the surrounding ecosystem of plant and animal life. Our quick and quality installation process reduces the on-site presence of heavy equipment, and we do it right the first time so we don't have to return.
Property owners, whether governments, clubs, schools, individuals, or others who are contemplating installing or replacing docks, need to be aware of the sustainability of the components and their impact on the marine ecosystem. BoardSafe takes all of that into consideration, from the design phase through the procurement of materials to the final installation.
BoardSafe's made-in-the-USA floating docks are constructed from the highest-grade aluminum, so there is no concern about deterioration, as there can be with wooden docks. They are low-maintenance, meaning an occasional power wash will keep them looking great, with a minimal need for solvents and other chemicals that can pollute the water. Environment-friendly cleaning products are available to remove stains.
BoardSafe prebuilds as many components as possible to minimize our time at the installation site. We make sure everything is complete before we leave the site, so we don't have to return. This means less trampling of the ground and vegetation.
Aluminum floating docks are more easily moved and replaced than fixed docks, should the need arise.
Read more about our consultation process here.
New Dock Makes PA Barge Club Envy of Boathouse Row
The following is a testimonial about how pleased the Pennsylvania Barge Club was with BoardSafe's efficiency and hassle-free client interaction during their new dock installation.
I want to thank you and Northeast for the fabulous job you did at Pennsylvania Barge Club. The demolition and removal of our old ramp and dock as well as the construction and installation of our new ramp and dock were flawless and without any headaches on our part during the project. And the finished product is absolutely beautiful. We are the envy of our neighbors on Boathouse Row in Philadelphia.
Your attention to detail as well as your quick responsiveness to any of our concerns was greatly appreciated. Your ability to respond to our needs and requests was certainly very gratifying especially when a construction project can be such a harrowing experience. In this case, it will be nothing but pleasant memories.
Both our members and tenants were amazed at how efficiently the project was managed. And, all are extremely happy with the finished project.
We certainly picked the right contractor for the job and for that I am extremely grateful.
Sincerely,
Michael J. Ragan
President. Pennsylvania Barge Club
Adaptive Kayak Launch Brings Joy to Team River Runner
Following is a testimonial to the quality and superiority of the BoardSafe adaptive kayak launch that provides access for the disabled.
As a physical therapist, we routinely ask our clients what their goals are. People who experience devastating loss such as amputation or paralysis can crave to turn back time and be able to resume doing the things they love.
Our society remains full of barriers but as it becomes more apparent that 1 out of 4 persons has some form of disability, the world is slowly becoming more accessible. There is a difference between merely meeting minimum ADA compliance and meeting quality standards that are truly handi-capable. This is true with homes and businesses, restaurants, and gymnasiums, but also the great outdoors.
As I love to kayak, I can tell you there is a tremendous difference in trying to enter a kayak from the water/shore than when using an accessible kayak launch. And not all kayak launches are created equal. Beware of launches made of plastic or are not flush and graded per ADA guidelines. I have been on a few of those launches and even for an able-bodied person, it can be difficult to maneuver and inaccessible to some.
The BoardSafe accessible kayak launch in my opinion is the highest quality system I have ever seen. It is structurally strong, well thought out, and gets people with disabilities back in the water. As a member of Team River Runner, a volunteer group that gets butts into boats, we take great pride in helping people realize that they can do things such as this that they never thought they would do again. Boardsafe kayak launches provide the best tool to allow a greater population to safely experience the water, with or without help.
At Lake Nockamixon, I volunteered with a group of assisted kayakers before there was a Boardsafe launch and then again after the launch was installed. The time, manpower, and safety in getting a group into the water were unquestionably and remarkably improved. To see the joy of the group and volunteers spending time together on the water is priceless! I give BoardSafe a five-star rating and commend their efforts to promote accessibility!
Best Regards,
JoAnn Sienkiewicz
Physical Therapist
BoardSafe Custom Pier and Docks on the Schuylkill River
This recent BoardSafe custom installation includes an aluminum staircase leading down the bank, measuring 3½ feet wide by 18 feet long. It also includes a fixed aluminum pier, as well as floating aluminum docks.
Custom BoardSafe Aluminum Floating Dock, Boat Rack, and Launches
BoardSafe recently engineered, manufactured, and installed, a custom aluminum floating dock and gangway for a private lake. The BoardSafe custom aluminum floating dock is equipped with two kayak launches. The installation also includes an attached boat rack that cantilevers out over the water, freeing up valuable deck space.
Watch this video testimonial and bird's-eye perspective of this custom BoardSafe installation:
City of Coeur d'Alene Atlas Waterfront Project
The City of Coeur d'Alene has officially purchased nearly 47 acres of Spokane River waterfront property that was the former Atlas Mill site for the inclusion of a BoardSafe adaptive kayak launch and Clip-A-Launch. The city purchased the property for $7,850,000 and the sale was recorded on May 16, 2018, making the sale official. The city began the process of purchasing the Atlas Waterfront property in May of 2017. The city purchased the property to create permanent public waterfront access and encourage economic development initiatives on the site.
The featured photo is of the BoardSafe Kayak Launch being installed in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho, at Atlas Mill Waterfront Park. This system not only includes our standard launch system, but a Clip-A-Launch as well. This was BoardSafe's first project in Idaho.
The City of Coeur d'Alene is working in partnership with ignite CDA to assess all opportunities related to uses of this property and to engage the community. The City Council and ignite CDA board members have directed staff to move forward with creating a new urban renewal district, which is being referred to as the Atlas District, and to expand the River and Lake districts. A Site Analysis, Financial Feasibility Study, and Master Planning effort is underway to develop an urban renewal plan for the project. That effort is being led by Welch-Comer Engineers with sub-consultants Heartland and GGLO. City staff, ignite CDA, and elected officials have been working together to provide feedback on the analysis and to provide ample opportunities for community outreach and public involvement. Special thanks to CDA2030 and other community volunteers for making the community engagement efforts to date a success.
Here we will provide basic project information, project status updates, and when and how stakeholders and community members can get involved in sharing their thoughts on this important project.
News & Information
- ATLAS WATERFRONT NEWS LOG (Click on link for more project information and news)
- COR Vision Group
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Traffic Impact Study Frequently Asked Questions
- Property Photos - Taken June 2017
- Environmental & Geotechnical Research of Property
- Resolution No. 14-049 - A City Council resolution calling for maximization of public access to riverfront property
- City Purchases Atlas Waterfront - It's official. The 47-acre Atlas Waterfront property is now owned by the City of Coeur d'Alene! The City purchased the property for $7,850,000 and the sale was recorded on May 16th, making the sale official. The City began the process of purchasing the property in May of 2017.
Rowing Center Aluminum Floating Dock Survives Flood
The Conshohocken Rowing Center, located north of Philadelphia on the Schuylkill River, was challenged by a rainstorm that caused the river to rise 20 feet, reaching the top of the embankment. Despite the flooding, the aluminum floating docks, gangways, and rowing center, remained intact. This is yet another testimony to BoardSafe's engineering and construction skills. Watch this on-the-spot video:
BoardSafe Kayak Launch Survives Hurricane Sally
Recently, BoardSafe installed one of our adaptive kayak launches in Milton, Santa Rosa County, Florida. The project was completed 6 days before the area took a direct hit from Hurricane Sally. During the storm, they were hit with a 6-foot storm surge. After watching the news, there seemed to be little hope the dock survived, but the project contact told us, “The dock system didn’t move an inch.” This was great news for the community — one less thing they needed to worry about after the storm — and a testimony to BoardSafe's engineering and construction quality.
Grants Make Outdoor Recreation More Accessible
Adaptive and wheelchair sports have been growing dramatically over the last few years, especially with the influx of an estimated 10,000 veterans and active service members now participating in adaptive sports. The interest in the Paralympic Games has also led to sports fitness facilities built especially for wheelchair and adaptive athletes. Many state and local governments and park services are revisiting their recreational facilities and offering funding, grants, and other incentives, to plan, develop, and implement programs to open access to handicapped individuals who want to enjoy the same sports and recreational opportunities as others.
One example is the city of Reading, Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is working on a multimillion-dollar recreation plan to help cities improve their outdoor all-accessible facilities for adaptive athletes. You can read about it here.
PDCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn says, "They're cooped up at home. Perhaps they're doing their learning from home. Perhaps they're working from home. People are confined in tight spaces," Dunn said. "One thing that was deemed essential from the beginning was time outdoors."
BoardSafe is grateful to be a part of so many plans to help our handicapped citizens enjoy a fuller life.