Handicap accessible kayak launch coming

Ramp will likely be installed by early spring, says recreation director

Mentor City Council recently approved the purchase of a new handicap accessible kayak launch ramp for the Mentor Lagoons Marina, which will help open up kayaking to individuals with physical disabilities that may not have been able to participate before.

According to Mentor Parks and Recreation Director Kenn Kaminski, the idea to install a handicap accessible ramp was spurred by a marked increase in kayak rentals from the marina’s existing paddlecraft rental service over the pandemic.

“Our operations for kayaking have increased fivefold,” Kaminski said.

He explained that many locals who had never kayaked before came out and gave it a try, and as they returned, some expressed interest in wanting to bring their disabled family members to enjoy a day on the water as well.

Of course, entering a kayak from the water when one is wheelchair-bound or otherwise disabled can be impossible, but Kaminski said the new accessible launch site will eliminate that problem.

Individuals with disabilities will be able to be assisted into a kayak from the safety of a dock, and then slowly be guided into the water via a ramp with rollers on it.

The launch site will be equipped with plenty of handrails and be 100 percent wheelchair accessible, Kaminski added.

“It will be completely accessible to anyone with a physical disability,” he said.

He said the recreation department anticipates the accessible site will be installed by early spring, so it will be ready for use next summer. It will be in the same location as the established kayak rental site at the marina.

“We’re really pleased to do it, and we have the support of the city manager and council,” Kaminski said.

At their Aug. 17 meeting, city council unanimously approved the reallocation of up to $50,491.76 from the city’s community development block grant accounts to purchase and install the ramp.

Councilwoman Janet Dowling expressed her support at the meeting, also noting how many residents are now taking advantage of renting or bringing their own kayaks out to the lagoons.

“I can’t say how pleased I am to see this,” she said. “I think if anything positive has come out of COVID, I think it’s how much the residents are enjoying that facility, and opening it up to another segment of our residents is really important.”

SUBMITTED The new handicap accessible kayak launch site at Mentor Lagoons Marina will be designed specifically for the site, but will resemble the example shown here. A ramp will help disabled kayakers gently glide into the lagoon, instead of trying to enter the boat from the shore.