The Municipality of Central Huron will soon celebrate the installation of a new accessible kayak launch at Ball's Bridge.
On Friday, June 12 at 5 p.m. at 38199 Little Lakes Road in Goderich, the public is invited to the official ribbon cutting and launch celebration. The municipality has installed an accessible kayak launch and accessible pathways to create a barrier-free connection between the bridge, the picnic area, and the water's edge.
People can bring their own kayaks and paddles, but the town will also have a few available for people to try out the launch.
Funding from the Rick Hansen Foundation supported the installation of the accessible kayak launch. Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG), along with the Community Living Central Huron Board of Directors and ARC Angels, stepped up to pay for Gridx permeable paving grids to make the whole area accessible for all.
The funding from the OLG comes from Central Huron hosting Gateway Casinos Clinton. The municipality decided to use some of the payments it received to help pay for this community project.
"Access to nature should be available to everyone," said Angela Smith, Community Improvement Coordinator for the Municipality of Central Huron. "The accessible kayak launch was an important first step, and OLG funding is helping us complete the connection to the water so that more residents and visitors can enjoy the river safely and independently."
"OLG funding continues to make a meaningful difference in our community," added Mayor Jim Ginn. "The accessible kayak launch is more than just a piece of infrastructure, it's an investment in inclusion, recreation, tourism, and quality of life. This project demonstrates how partnerships can create meaningful change. By combining support from the Rick Hansen Foundation, Community Living Central Huron, ARC Angels and OLG, we're creating an accessible recreational experience that will benefit residents and visitors for years to come."
