The Blackwater River became accessible to everyone today following the ribbon cutting ceremony and official opening of an ADA boat launch. Located at the end of Camp 70 Road along the scenic flatwater section of the Blackwater, the new launch offers a wheelchair-friendly ramp and sturdy dock with an accessible transfer system.
Surrounded by CVNWR staff, Tucker County officials, and local residents, adaptive paddler Eric Thompson cuts the ribbon to officially open the boat launch.
The new feature will allow people with disabilities to safely enter and exit the river, opening up a previously inaccessible section of the Blackwater. This will allow people of all capabilities to see the refuge from the unique perspective of this spectacular waterway.
Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge (CVNWR) staff and volunteers installed an abutment on the edge of the Blackwater River, followed by the installation of the EZ launch dock system over May 15 and 16. This effort was in cooperation with Tucker County Chamber of Commerce, West Virginia Department of Natural Resources, Tucker County Commission, Tucker County Planning Commission, Tucker County Development Authority, WV on the Go, and Town of Davis.
In 2019, the Federal Highways Administration will rehabilitate the Brown Mountain parking area and add two ADA-accessible parking spaces where the lot intersects the River’s Edge trail. The next stage of the project is to make the trail ADA-accessible trail leading to the canoe/kayak launch.
Eric Thompson gets ready to us the transfer system to enter his kayak.
Eric Thompson enters the Blackwater from the launch rails.