Laura
08-09-2011, 02:04 AM
from Watertown Daily Times:
http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20110806/NEWS03/708069965
Village of Dexter unveils its handicap-accessible canoe and kayak launch
DEXTER BOAT DOCK: Handicapped-accessible site has special equipment
By DANIEL WOOLFOLK
TIMES STAFF WRITER
SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2011
DEXTER — Mayor James R. Eves unveiled Fish Island’s new handicapped-accessible canoe and kayak launch Friday morning.
The village’s goal, he said, was to get more people out to the island.
“Kid, mom and dad, the disabled — no matter what — there will be something for you to do here,” he said.
The device allows for paddlers to pull their craft onto rollers and use handrails to push themselves into the Black River. Wheelchair users can transfer themselves onto a platform that slides out on top of a boat’s seat to ease into the boat.
The launch has a sign with pictures that show how to use it and, Mr. Eves said, most people will figure the process out the first time.
The calm waters draw disabled and elderly paddlers as well as tourists and families, he said.
“They can literally go all of the other side of the cove. They can fish, they can do whatever they want out here and it’s flat water,” he said. “On a windy day, you don’t usually get waves up here.”
The launch is the first one Michael Sisti of EZ-Dock, Grand Island, has sold in the north country and he suspects other municipalities will soon be interested in making their waters more accessible.
“There’s a need to have a launch,” he said. “This makes that easy. The fact that you are able to put the transfer station in there for the handicap-accessible — that just makes that wonderful.”
The launch has appealed to Fort Drum’s wounded warrior unit, which is composed of soldiers recovering from major injuries. Master Sgt. Paul L. Miller attended the opening to see if it would benefit the unit.
He said not only will physical therapists be interested in it, but also soldiers who are looking to get out on their own or with the unit.
“About every weekend, they have something to do,” he said.
The $20,000 launch is part of a $128,650 pavilion, pier and dock construction project. The effort is pushed by the Fish Island Partnership, a fellowship of 52 private and public stakeholders from Jefferson County. The island now has lighting and power and soon will have exercise stations, Mr. Eves said.
Mr. Sisti said the renewed island is an asset for the village.
“You guys just have a perfect location,” he said. “The community has a nice little jewel here and it’s only getting better.”
http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20110806/NEWS03/708069965
Village of Dexter unveils its handicap-accessible canoe and kayak launch
DEXTER BOAT DOCK: Handicapped-accessible site has special equipment
By DANIEL WOOLFOLK
TIMES STAFF WRITER
SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2011
DEXTER — Mayor James R. Eves unveiled Fish Island’s new handicapped-accessible canoe and kayak launch Friday morning.
The village’s goal, he said, was to get more people out to the island.
“Kid, mom and dad, the disabled — no matter what — there will be something for you to do here,” he said.
The device allows for paddlers to pull their craft onto rollers and use handrails to push themselves into the Black River. Wheelchair users can transfer themselves onto a platform that slides out on top of a boat’s seat to ease into the boat.
The launch has a sign with pictures that show how to use it and, Mr. Eves said, most people will figure the process out the first time.
The calm waters draw disabled and elderly paddlers as well as tourists and families, he said.
“They can literally go all of the other side of the cove. They can fish, they can do whatever they want out here and it’s flat water,” he said. “On a windy day, you don’t usually get waves up here.”
The launch is the first one Michael Sisti of EZ-Dock, Grand Island, has sold in the north country and he suspects other municipalities will soon be interested in making their waters more accessible.
“There’s a need to have a launch,” he said. “This makes that easy. The fact that you are able to put the transfer station in there for the handicap-accessible — that just makes that wonderful.”
The launch has appealed to Fort Drum’s wounded warrior unit, which is composed of soldiers recovering from major injuries. Master Sgt. Paul L. Miller attended the opening to see if it would benefit the unit.
He said not only will physical therapists be interested in it, but also soldiers who are looking to get out on their own or with the unit.
“About every weekend, they have something to do,” he said.
The $20,000 launch is part of a $128,650 pavilion, pier and dock construction project. The effort is pushed by the Fish Island Partnership, a fellowship of 52 private and public stakeholders from Jefferson County. The island now has lighting and power and soon will have exercise stations, Mr. Eves said.
Mr. Sisti said the renewed island is an asset for the village.
“You guys just have a perfect location,” he said. “The community has a nice little jewel here and it’s only getting better.”