The City of Grand Rapids' first accessible canoe and kayak launch is now open. The EZ Launch, located at the Riverside Park lagoon on Monroe Ave. allows for barrier-free access to the lagoon and Grand River for paddlers of all abilities.
The dock and other accessibility improvements were funded by a $150,000 Michigan Department of Natural Resources recreation passport grant and $80,000 from the City's parks millage fund.
In addition to the launch, additional accessibility improvements from this project include:
Replacement of the existing portable restroom near the parking lot with an accessible portable restroom.
And the addition of new handicap reserved parking spaces to the parking lot
Parks and Recreation director David Marquardt said the new accessible launch is an important piece of the City's vision for a "River For All" as the Grand River restoration work continues.
Marquardt says, "Canoeing and kayaking is ranked among the top recreational activities for Grand Rapids residents, and this important project makes paddling activities more accessible to our entire community."
The dock is open to the public during normal park hours, daily from dawn to dusk.
The Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation department is planning kayaking programming throughout the summer that will use the new dock as the launch point.
