We’re heading back to the NRPA Conference 2024. Are you?
The NRPA Conference is taking place October 8 - October 10 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA. This event is the largest annual gathering of park and recreation professionals in one place, and an excellent opportunity to showcase, network, and learn about products and services in the field of recreation.
Come see BoardSafe Docks in the Exhibit Hall in Booth #2642!
BoardSafe’s kayak launch is designed for universal access and offers great stability with adaptive features. It improves the kayaking experience for paddlers of all abilities. The launch system is designed to accommodate both kayaks and canoes and is a perfect addition to parks, marinas, and waterfronts looking to improve accessibility.
For those looking to enhance their kayaking adventure with a safer, stable, and easy launch system, please stop by booth #2642. Scott and Dave from BoardSafe Docks would love to share information about BoardSafe’s product line and show you the features of an adaptive kayak launch. It’s not too late to register for the NRPA 2024 Annual Conference. We hope to see you there!
#NRPA2024 #WhereYouBelong #UniversalAccess #AccessibleSolutions
We're Counting Down Until #ASLA2024 in D.C.! Will you be there?
BoardSafe Docks is attending the ASLA Conference on Landscape Architecture October 6th – 9th in Washington, DC.
The ASLA Conference on Landscape Architecture is the largest annual gathering of landscape architecture and allied professionals, all coming together to learn, connect, share knowledge, gain inspiration, and bring value to their practice. The conference offers sessions, professional development, networking opportunities, and a world-class EXPO featuring over 275 vendors showcasing cutting-edge products and services.
Come see BoardSafe Docks in Booth #3757
BoardSafe’s kayak launch is designed for universal access and offers great stability with adaptive features. It improves the kayaking experience for paddlers of all abilities. The launch system is designed to accommodate both kayaks and canoes and is a perfect addition to parks, marinas, and waterfronts looking to improve accessibility.
For those looking to enhance their kayaking adventure with a safer, stable, and easy to launch system, please stop by booth #3757 in the exhibit hall. Tom Warchol and Kelly Beals from BoardSafe Docks would love to share information about BoardSafe’s product line and demonstrate the features of an adaptive kayak launch in person. It’s not too late to register at the ASLA Conference on Landscape Architecture. We hope to connect with you there!
#ASLA2024 #BoardSafeDocks #UniversalAccess #AccessibleSolutions
The Evolution of Kayaking and Access for All
Think about how popular canoeing and kayaking have become over the last several years. With the increase of rails to trails and greenways spreading across our country, people’s interest in connecting with nature is real. The popularity of water trails, kayaking, and canoeing is on the rise, and communities and local governments are recognizing and responding to a growing desire to connect with the outdoors. Nature enthusiasts want to recreate on the water; therefore, access to the water where everyone can participate is being looked at differently.
People enjoy traveling and sightseeing but also value close-to-home recreation spots where they can go for a quick paddle after work, or a nearby location to take their family on the weekend. Before kayak launches became popular, we had to drag our kayaks over stones and steep embankments and struggled to get our vessels into the water. We got muddy and wet, banged our shins, and tipped our kayaks when launching our vessels into the water.
With BoardSafe’s Accessible and Adaptive Launch, universal access features provide safe and easy access to the water for all who wish to get out and paddle. The launch’s universal design accommodates paddlers in wheelchairs and makes launching vessels easier for younger, older, and novice paddlers, those with physical conditions, limited mobility, and even lower body paralysis. BoardSafe’s launch offers safe and easy access for all. The innovative launch makes paddling fun and helps improve the paddling experience for all paddlers looking to access the water.
Outdoor enthusiasts rave about the brilliance of BoardSafe's accessibility. The durability and design features of the BoardSafe Adaptive Kayak Launch mean it can be described as the best universal access kayak launch on today’s market. One park director commented, “We had our state grant inspection yesterday and the inspector reported BoardSafe’s Launch was the best canoe/kayak launch they’ve ever seen.” Everyone knows that getting in and out of a kayak or canoe is often the most difficult part of the sport. With BoardSafe’s signature features, designed with input from a group of adaptive paddlers and professionals who support them, our innovative aluminum floating dock system has proven to be the best commercial launching system available to communities and parks looking for improved accessibility.
Research from Outdoor Industry
The economic, recreational, and environmental benefits of investing in and improving access for all are now recognized. Recent research from the Outdoor Industry reflects the sport’s surge in popularity. The Outdoor Recreation Economy Report identifies outdoor recreation as one of our nation's largest economic sectors. According to this report, outdoor recreation generates $887 billion in consumer spending annually, 7.6 million American jobs, $65.3 billion in federal tax revenue, and $59.2 billion in state and local tax revenue.
The Economic Impact of Parks and Rivers
Parks and rivers have become powerful economic drivers for communities. Policymakers, elected officials, and parks and recreation professionals have noticed how investments improve the standard of living. There is compelling evidence of the positive impacts in the tourism, hotel, restaurant, and recreation industries. The investment in an accessible kayak launch—particularly one built of non-corroding aluminum, composite lumber, non-polluting flotation, and stainless steel—will pay dividends to communities for years to come.
Benefits of Creating More Access Points to Our Rivers
With outdoor recreation growing and being one of our largest economic contributors, creating accessible water access points will benefit local communities. Why is this true? Because people of all abilities are hooked on paddle sports. When you step into a kayak and take those first few paddle strokes, nature surrounds you. It’s easy to understand how nature’s draw pulls people to the water.
Paddling and kayak fishing have become everyone’s favorite hobbies and sought-after forms of outdoor recreation. Kayaking is an inclusive activity that offers paddlers with disabilities the opportunity to be out on the water like everyone else.
BoardSafe Is Recognized as an Industry Leader in Accessibility
BoardSafe is a leading provider of innovative access solutions specializing in designing, fabricating, and installing floating docks, gangways, pedestrian bridges, adaptive kayak launches, and accessible fishing piers that promote accessibility and inclusivity for waterfront activities.
BoardSafe is the industry expert with innovative solutions and specialized knowledge and understanding for designing floating docks, gangways, pedestrian bridges, adaptive kayak launches, and accessible fishing piers that promote accessibility and inclusivity for waterfront activities. Our projects are individualized to meet our customers' needs and site requirements. Since no two waterfront projects are the same, we share our understanding of site requirements to ensure accessibility. Our experience and specialization are unmatched by anyone else in the marine industry.
Everyone Benefits
It's a common misconception that an accessible kayak launch is ONLY intended for people with mobility impairments. The truth is that an accessible launch benefits the entire community and assists people of all abilities with accessing the water. Able-bodied paddlers love an accessible launch because it offers a simple and dry way to enter the water. BoardSafe’s launch also helps novice paddlers and families with young children learn how to enter a kayak and paddle safely. The accessibility features also benefit people with minor impairments, such as a bad knee or hip.
How Does the Launch Attract More Paddlers?
Nearly 20% of the U.S. population live with a form of disability, and approximately 12% live with a mobility disability. This is a sizable portion of our population who still want to enjoy recreating on the water with family and friends. This is why the features of the BoardSafe launch have such an appeal. Our universal design features will enhance your waterfront and provide access for all people who wish to get out and paddle with family and friends. Your investment in our accessible product line—built of aluminum, composite lumber, non-polluting flotation, and stainless steel—is virtually maintenance-free and will pay dividends to communities for years to come.
Contact BoardSafe Docks at 610-899-0286 for more information on your solution for inclusive access with universal design features and to learn more about the unique projects we have designed and built that no other dock builders are capable of. We meet the needs of persons with disabilities and will serve your whole community with accessible waterfront designs that everyone can appreciate.
Friendship Park Offers Lake Access With BoardSafe Adaptive Kayak Launch
Jefferson County Park Commissioners are excited to bring accessibility to their lake at Friendship Park in Steubenville, Ohio. Friendship Park is a 1320-acre park located right outside the Village of Smithfield. The park has camping, boating, and fishing facilities, and is a popular spot for bird watching, biking, horseback riding, and other outdoor activities.
“We are excited to add this amenity to the park and make the lake more accessible,” said Judy Henthorn, Park Commissioner. “We are already seeing an increase in park attendance from this addition and are pleased the county commissioners saw the importance and potential of this project and helped provide the funding to make it possible.” The new amenity also aligns with their goal of creating more inclusive recreational outlets for people in Jefferson County.
The 89-acre lake provides fishing for bass, bluegill, carp, trout, and catfish. An additional 5 small lakes surround the main lake and camping areas. Nature lovers can enjoy the serene location and its numerous activities.
Adding to the park’s recreational amenities is a BoardSafe Adaptive Kayak Launch that offers people of all abilities an opportunity to get out on the water to paddle and fish.
The universal access launch offers paddlers and fishermen safe and easy access to their vessels when entering and exiting their kayaks and canoes.
Jennifer Simms, Friendship Park’s Paddle Sports Program Coordinator, explained, “It was important to have something adaptive for people with physical limitations. I’m excited about the support from the commissioners and community that made it happen.” Simms saw BoardSafe’s Adaptive Kayak Launch “as an opportunity to introduce the residents of Jefferson County and the surrounding area to the beauty of Friendship Park. She and those in support of the launch understand the importance of including everyone, especially those with mobility limitations.
The scope of the project included:
- (2) 8x16 floating docks.
- (2) 16 ft. kayak launches.
- (1) adaptive kit for adaptive access.
- (1) 20 ft. gangway and chute.
- Bulkhead mounting angle.
- (2) 2’6” x 2’6” x 5’0” precast foundation blocks.
The town announced a ribbon-cutting ceremony to promote its new universal access launch system for Saturday, May 18th. They’re already working on a schedule of future events to be held at the park. The ribbon-cutting ceremony looks like it will be an amazing day of fun activities for the community and includes:
- the ribbon-cutting ceremony beginning at 11 a.m., with festivities through 2 p.m.
- the Coast Guard Flotilla 082-07-02 that will be available from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. for complementary vessel inspections, with a safety class beginning at 10 a.m.
- food provided by Crossroads Christian Church Wintersville, and the Ice Cream Island food truck will be on-site.
- a chance for Park patrons to purchase tickets for $10 each for a chance to win a kayak donated by Friends of Smithfield, with all proceeds benefiting the Paddle Sports Program at the park. The drawing will be held at 2 p.m.
Residents who want to learn more about the Adaptive Kayak Launch or park amenities should visit the Friendship Park District page on Facebook or email [email protected].
BoardSafe understands communities are looking for close-to-home recreation and safe and easy access to the water. More Features = More Paddlers.
BoardSafe Docks is the industry leader in Adaptive Kayak Launches and Accessible Fishing Piers, Gangways, Pedestrian Bridges, and other water access products. Let us help you with a free design consultation or virtual meeting to ensure your project provides universal access and offers paddle accessibility to anyone who wishes to get out and enjoy the water.
Lehigh Valley Style Magazine: Accessible Outdoors Benefits Everyone
BoardSafe Docks is pleased to be recognized in Lehigh Valley Style Magazine as an option for accessible recreation for people of all abilities.
Cindy Ross, author, and her husband, Todd Gladfelter, an adaptive outdoor enthusiast, appreciate the adaptive features in BoardSafe’s Kayak Launch and Accessible Fishing Pier at Leaser Lake in Kempton, PA.
Cindy recognizes the need to improve accessibility to the great outdoors. She acknowledges Leaser Lake, Hawk Mountain, and other local trails for creating access to nature for everyone who wishes to participate in outdoor recreation.
One in four Americans lives with a disability; that’s 61 million people and one million people who require a wheelchair. Disabilities often keep people at home, but recent studies have recognized the therapeutic value of time spent in nature. You may read Cindy’s article here: Discover Why Accessible Nature is a Win for All.
The Fabulous Fox! River Summit Is Only 2 Days Away!
The Fox River Summit is an annual gathering of organizations, municipalities, citizens, and stakeholders across the Fox River Watershed. Building partnerships and developing an open dialog about the issues important to managing the watershed is a key component of the summit. The program features speakers and presentations highlighting these issues, and it’s also an opportunity to celebrate the success stories along the Fox River.
Tom Warchol, BoardSafe Partner, will present information on “The Value of Investing in Universal Access Kayak Launches for Paddlers with Disabilities.”
BoardSafe’s Kayak Launch provides access to adaptive paddlers and allows them to leave their wheelchairs behind and paddle with family and friends.
Wisconsin and Illinois have partnered with the National Park Service to create the Fabulous Fox! River Water Trail. A list of access sites (by community or keyword) to the water trail is available at this link: Access Sites - Fabulous Fox! Water Trail. The site offers information about the trail, maps, itineraries, and all you need to plan an amazing day on the water.
BoardSafeDocks hopes to meet you Thursday, March 14, at Veterans Terrace, Echo Park, Burlington, WI. A complete list of featured speakers and topics for the summit is listed here: 2024 Fox River Summit.
Click here to register: southeastfoxriver.org.
NJASLA Annual Meeting Conference on January 28-30, 2024
BoardSafe Docks invites you to join us at the NJASLA Annual Meeting Conference on January 28-30, 2024 at Harrah’s Waterfront Conference Center in Atlantic City, NJ!
This year’s theme “ASLA125: Past + Future”, celebrates the rich legacy of the American Society of Landscape Architects and embraces innovations for the years ahead. The annual conference creates a unique atmosphere of learning, inspiration, and connections to lead the way for the future of landscape architecture.
Please stop by the Premier Sponsor Booth in the exhibit hall to meet the team from BoardSafe Docks. We look forward to seeing you there!
REGISTER TODAY! IT’S ONLY 5 DAYS AWAY! NJASLA 2024 - CONEXSYS Registration
Happy Thanksgiving from BoardSafe Docks!
As we prepare to celebrate the season of Thanksgiving and reflect on the blessings of the past year, BoardSafe Docks would like to recognize our customers for their patronage, loyalty, and trust. We are filled with gratitude for the opportunity to serve customers who have allowed us to transform many waterfronts into areas that provide accessibility for all.
BoardSafe prides itself on unmatched customer service paired with the highest quality of design, engineering, and manufacturing services. We are truly blessed with our BoardSafe family and have grown a multi-faceted team dedicated to our customers and the communities we serve. Our many years of experience, and the significant solutions we’ve offered to the marine industry, have allowed us to be recognized as the premier manufacturer of durable, sustainable, and accessible marine products.
This Thanksgiving and always, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our customers for allowing us to carry out our vision of changing lives and transforming communities with products that provide universal access. BoardSafe’s Team wishes you all a safe and blessed Thanksgiving!
With Gratitude and Appreciation from the Team at BoardSafe Docks
BoardSafe Docks—Meet Us Today at the Ohio River Way Summit!
BoardSafe Docks is in Madison, Indiana today, 10/26, at the Ohio River Way Summit. The Summit is happening directly on the river at the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, 108 St. Michaels Avenue, Madison, IN 47250.
We’re proud to be one of the sponsors of the Ohio River Way Summit where we’ll be joining a diverse coalition of communities and organizations to discuss how river communities can grow around outdoor recreation.
Stop by our table today and say hello to Kelly Beals from BoardSafe Docks. Kelly will be able to share the benefits to paddlers, along with economic and ecological benefits to communities who invest in a BoardSafe Adaptive Kayak Launch and our other water access products.
BoardSafe Docks recognizes outdoor recreation has not always been inclusive. Our team is committed to offering a wide range of water accessibility products. We understand our products’ impact on communities and have witnessed how our accessibility products improve lifestyles for the adaptive and recreation-loving communities they serve. Come see us and learn how we can be part of your water access solution!
You can register for the summit here: https://www.ohioriverway.org/orw-summit
BoardSafe Docks looks forward to meeting you today in Madison!
10 Considerations When Choosing a Floating Dock Builder
We have listed 10 considerations for prospective buyers to be aware of during the design, engineering, and manufacturing phase of their projects.
If you’ve decided to work with BoardSafe Docks for our industry expertise, you’ve made the right choice. Working with a dock builder you trust will strengthen your professional relationship and translate into a more pleasant building experience.
Following are some key points to learn and understand about the design, engineering, and manufacturing process.
Choose an experienced floating dock builder.
Customers prefer to select a dock builder with prior dock-building experience. Ask how long the dock builder has been doing this type of work. Visit completed dock projects to see what they look like after the installation, as well as jobs they completed five years earlier so you have an idea of their strength, durability, and performance over time. Speak with and review references from prior customers. Since no two waterfronts are ever the same, neither will be floating dock projects. Projects will always vary; therefore, successful prior experience will ensure you’re getting a quality product that lasts. Take the time to research completed projects and reviews before you hire your contractor. Your dock is more than a regular construction project, so don’t waste time with inexperienced or novice builders.
Communicate with your designer-dock builder.
A trusted dock designer will be one you can easily contact and communicate with. Do they respond to your phone calls and emails in a timely manner? Establish in advance your preferred method of communication and the frequency of communication and how payments will be made. Map out a schedule for updates regarding the progress of your project. Dock projects can take time to complete—from designing, engineering, and ordering materials, through fabrication.
Structural integrity of the dock design and materials
You can’t have a quality dock without quality materials! That means asking your floating dock designer about the best type of dock for your environment, its features, and their recommended materials. The kind of dock, its location, and the materials used, will tell you a lot about the quality of their product. If the designer tends to use a certain product or material, you can look up information about the company and decide if you think it’s a good fit. Purchasing a floating dock is a big investment that you want to last for many years to come.
The durability of an aluminum floating dock
Be sure to ask how your dock will stand up against various weather elements. Understand what type of maintenance will be required during the winter months, during changes in tidal conditions, and when there’s flooding or drought. This will reveal the considerations your designer needs to make for your dock regarding the local weather and demands of the waterway. Customers who experience any type of extreme weather, traffic, or tidal conditions, should ensure their designer prepares for it.
Project timeline for the floating dock
When it’s time to really get serious about your project, one of the critical questions you must ask is about your designer’s timeline. Try to zero in on a specific schedule and have some aspect of timeline expectations in your contract.
Site preparation prior to installation
Well before construction even begins, make sure your designer has the plan to protect and prepare your property for the dock’s installation. If trucks and other equipment must be driven through your yard, make sure you know how you want your dock builder to access your property from both land and water. Understand what site work may need to be completed prior to the installation of your floating dock system and who is responsible for that site work. Make sure it is completed prior to the arrival of your dock.
Permits for your water access project
Find out what regulations govern your property prior to starting any waterfront access project. Start with your town building code department and work your way up. Also check for the county, state, and federal regulations that might affect your property. Know who is responsible for obtaining your permits—your landscape architect, the engineer, the dock builder, or the property owner.
Unexpected change orders
There are always unintended changes that may arise during the construction of your project. Ask your designer what the process will be if changes to the design are necessary—especially if they will result in changes in cost. Make it clear that you want to know about changes and any additional costs in advance if necessary.
Consider the end goal early in your floating dock project.
It’s important to consider the entirety of your floating dock project at the start of your project. If you have questions, ask them. If you have your eye set on additional dock accessories, communicate that in advance. Customers who change their design ideas in the middle of the project need to expect additional costs and additional time for completion. These little steps can make a big impact on the timing of construction and your overall satisfaction with your completed boat dock.
Understand the warranty of your floating dock system.
Asking these questions will set you up for an extremely successful relationship with your dock designer. You’re much less likely to face setbacks and disappointments if you set up a good foundation of understanding from the beginning.
When you find a professional dock builder, ask if they provide annual maintenance packages for your floating dock system, especially if you live in an area where docks need to be removed for the winter months. If they do, it’s a good idea to establish a recurring maintenance schedule.
BoardSafe Docks understands the benefits and impact their floating dock systems offer to communities and park systems. Their inclusive launch is fitted for kayaks, canoes, and SUPS, and gets everyone in the water safely and easily. We know paddlers want close-to-home recreation; safe, easy, and inclusive access to the water; and the ability to connect their families to nature and their local community. BoardSafe’s fishing piers allow their users to enjoy the outdoors safely away from active boat launches and access points. Our floating dock systems for marinas enhance the ability to safely secure vessels in the water, allowing boaters to come onto land for dining and other recreational activities.
To discuss your project and create a water entry site that offers safe and easy access with inclusive and adaptive features, contact us at 610-899-0286 or through our website at BoardSafeDocks.com.