The Johnson County Parks and Recreation Department recently upgraded park amenities at Lexington Lake Park in Johnson County, Kansas, improving access to all kayakers looking to get out and enjoy paddling on the water.
Nestled within a 465-acre park, Lexington Lake spans 27 acres and is open for boating and fishing. Visitors must obtain appropriate fishing and boating permits, including a state fishing license when using a motorized boat, following state regulations. The park also features a 1.6-mile paved multi-use trail encircling the lake, and nine miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, making it a premier destination for outdoor recreation on both land and water.
Fishing permits and regulations
Fishing permits are available at the Visitor Services desk in the Shawnee Mission Park Administration Building, the Registration Office in Antioch Park, and retail locations including Bass Pro Shops, Scheels, and Walmart stores in Johnson County (Sporting Goods section). For more details, visit the Annual and General Permits page.
Children under 16 are generally exempt from needing a fishing license or JCPRD permit, except for trout fishing, which requires a JCPRD trout permit regardless of age.
Additional Lexington Lake Park Amenities
In addition to the adaptive kayak launch, Lexington Lake Park offers:
- a boat ramp and courtesy dock with parking.
- a drinking fountain.
- picnic shelters and grills.
- a playground.
- hiking and mountain biking trails.
- restrooms and paved multi-use trails.
View the Lexington Lake Park Map to explore available amenities before your visit.
Ecological significance of Lexington Lake Park
Beyond its recreational offerings, Lexington Lake Park is home to a range of unique and ecologically important habitats, including:
- Virgin Tallgrass Prairie Minimally disturbed, with more than 120 native plant species—indicative of a healthy and diverse ecosystem.
- Mead’s Milkweed A federally threatened plant species and a critical indicator of prairie health, found within the park’s untouched prairie zones.
- Oak and Hickory Forests A mature forest ecosystem supporting diverse wildlife and plant communities.
- Tallgrass Prairie Home to tall, perennial grasses and essential wildlife habitats, representing a vital ecological balance.
These natural features make Lexington Lake Park a haven for recreation, conservation, and environmental education.
BoardSafe Docks project scope for Lexington Lake Park
To improve water access, BoardSafe Docks of Fleetwood, Pennsylvania, supplied and manufactured a comprehensive adaptive kayak launch system. The project included:
- one 8’2” x 16’4” floating dock.
- one 4’2” x 16’4” floating dock.
- one 16’4” adaptive kayak launch.
- one adaptive kit.
- one 40’ x 4’ single-rail gangway and chute combination.
- a bulkhead mounting angle.
BoardSafe’s innovative adaptive kayak launch provides safe, stable, and independent access for paddlers of all abilities. Jordan Cline of the Johnson County Park and Recreation District managed the project, and Blue Water Docks of Chattanooga, Tennessee, completed the installation.
BoardSafe’s collaboration and technical expertise with our Installers
Blue Water Docks, led by Kevin Jones, has been a trusted installation partner of BoardSafe Docks for over a year. As one of our primary installers of BoardSafe’s accessible floating dock systems, the BWD team has grown to understand the technical complexity of our engineered solutions.
BoardSafe’s dock systems are frequently deployed in locations with steep embankments, fluctuating water levels, strong currents, and seasonal flooding. These challenges require more than a generic solution—they demand precision engineering and specialized construction methods. Our structures are designed to be robust, elevated, and durable, all while remaining fully accessible.
This collaboration reflects the strength of our turnkey approach: BoardSafe provides the design, engineering, and manufacturing expertise, while Blue Water Docks delivers skilled, efficient installations. Together, we deliver high-performance systems that meet the most demanding site conditions and leave our customers highly satisfied.
BoardSafe Docks: Setting the standard for adaptive marine access
Since 2009, BoardSafe Docks has been the industry leader in designing, engineering, and manufacturing premium aluminum marine access systems. Our products, including adaptive kayak launches, floating docks, pedestrian bridges, and more, are built to endure the toughest environmental conditions, from tidal shifts to flooding and drought.
BoardSafe is the trusted partner of park directors, civil engineers, landscape architects, and other professionals seeking the highest-quality, universally accessible marine solutions.
Contact us through our website at BoardSafeDocks.com or give us a phone call at 610-899-0286 to allow us to analyze the access to your water entry points.
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