Canoe/Kayak Launch Press Release
October 1, 2008
An innovative canoe and kayak launch has been installed at Fort Gratiot Township's North River Road Park, providing access to the Black River. The launch serves as a prototype for the eventual Universally Accessible launches planned as part of the Community Foundation of St. Clair County's Access to Recreation Program.
"We are inviting the public to come out and test the launch and give us feedback about their experience," states Mark A. Brochu, Director of the county's Parks and Recreation Commission. "The comments we get from canoe and kayak enthusiasts from our community will help us to further develop the prototype."
The launch was through a collaboration between Pamela Blough, ASLA, Cooper Service, EZ Dock, Midland County, Chippewa Nature Center and St. Clair County. The launch allows paddlers to launch and retrieve their boats from a floating dock using a roller system and railings. If fact, launch users report that the launch is a lot easier to use than they expected. The launch has gotten rave reviews from a number of community members, including Jerry Celmer, who gave it a score of 10 out of 10.
The canoe and kayak launch is part of an Access to Recreation grant through the Community Foundation of St. Clair County. The Access to Recreation program was awarded to the Community Foundation by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation as part of the Kellogg Foundation's efforts to expand opportunities for people with disabilities to enjoy the outdoors. When the final design is complete, the launch will allow people with disabilities to independently launch canoes or kayaks.
Other projects supported by the program will be access-related improvements to the Algonac community swimming pool, and construction of the state's first universally accessible tree house at the Pine River Nature Center. The Kellogg money must be matched by local contributions. A fund-raising campaign for the county projects is being conducted now by the Community Foundation.
Questions/Comments
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us.
- Gigi Mericka, Program Manager
- Phone: (810) 937-2707
- Community Foundation of St. Clair County
- Phone: (810) 987-4761
Email us from our Contact page.