Accessible Paddle Launches in NWI

All launch parts available

Launch floating in water

Installation of pathway to launch

Northwest Indiana Region has a rich environtment to live, work and play.  It is known for the Indiana Dunes, Indiana National Lakeshore, its beaches, trails, rivers, and for its proximity of Chicago.

There is a great appreciation for its waterways and throughout the Summer there are great opportunities to go canoeing, kayaking and fishing.

However, not everyone has been able to enjoy these great activities: persons with disabilities, individuals with limited physical mobility due to aging, arthritis, and other ailments.  For them the terrain, getting in and out of the waterways has been near to impossible.

In Northwest Indiana we have taken on the challenge to do something about it. Northwest Indiana Paddling Association, NWIPA, together with Causes for Change has now worked with several communities to install an accessible launch.  During the Spring and Summer months of this year we worked with Lake Station in the submission of a grant, obtain the needed funding, assisting  in engaging community volunteers and organizations.

The installation of the launch is now complete and the ribbon cutting is taking place on Saturday, Sepetember 22, 2018.   This is the fourth accesible launch that has been installed in the NWI Region. Accessibility is availabe for all to enjoy kayaking, canoeing and fishing in Deep River at Lake Station, Indiana.