A new accessible dock at Boulevard Lake is expanding access to paddle sports for people of all ages and abilities.

Located at the Thunder Bay Paddlesport Club Boathouse, the new facility includes an access walkway, an improved dock and an accessible canoe and kayak launch.

“I had an accident in 2016. I used to be an avid canoe and kayaker. Having this dock will bring something back to life that I haven’t been able to enjoy in ten years, and now I can,” said Samantha Zrobin, chair of Thunder Bay’s Accessibility Advisory Committee. “There’s no words to describe how excited I am to take a Sunday afternoon and explore the water again.”

The dock and boat launch will provide free public access to Boulevard Lake for canoeing, kayaking, dragon boating and stand-up paddleboarding. It will also support the Paddlesport Club’s programming for older adults and people with disabilities.

“The City is excited to add this accessibility feature to the Boulevard Lake boat launch,” said Werner Schwar, Supervisor of Parks & Open Space Planning. “It’s a relatively calm lake that’s well suited to beginner paddlers.”

Schwar said the city hopes to eventually bring similar accessible facilities to other public boat launches.

“Thunder Bay is blessed with a wealth of opportunities for paddle sports right here in the city,” he said. “These accessible launches help open those waterways to a wider range of abilities and ages.”

The project was supported by $57,935 in funding through the Ontario government’s Enhancing Access to Spaces for Everyone (EASE) grant program. The Paddlesport Club also donated the repurposed finger dock.

The new dock adds to several accessible recreational amenities already available at Boulevard Lake, including the Jumpstart inclusive playground, an adult fitness area, beach volleyball with an adjustable net for sitting play, a beach mat with a lift and mobi-chair, accessible walkways and trails, and accessible change rooms and bathrooms.

“Improving accessibility in our public spaces helps ensure more people can take part in the activities that make our communities such great places to live,” said Thunder Bay–Atikokan MPP Kevin Holland.

“This investment will help make Boulevard Lake more inclusive and accessible, giving older adults, people with disabilities, and families more opportunities to safely enjoy outdoor recreation close to home.”

People who use the new dock are being encouraged to provide feedback through the city’s Get Involved Thunder Bay survey. Paper copies of the survey are also available at City Hall.