PPFF opens accessible canoe and kayak launch at Locust Lake State Park

The Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation marked the opening of a new ADA-accessible canoe and kayak launch at Locust Lake State Park on July 29. The project is meant to expand inclusive outdoor access at a park that draws about 145,000 visitors a year.

Why it matters: - The new launch gives more people, including older adults, veterans, people recovering from injuries and people with disabilities, a safer way to get on the water. - Locust Lake State Park sees about 145,000 visitors each year, so the accessible launch affects a high-traffic public recreation site. - The project supports broader efforts to make Pennsylvania state parks and forests more welcoming and inclusive.

What happened: - The Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation celebrated completion of the ADA-accessible canoe and kayak launch with a ribbon-cutting and dedication on Wednesday, July 29. - The launch is located at Locust Lake State Park in Barnesville, Pennsylvania. - PPFF and park officials marked the opening as a new addition to the park’s recreation offerings.

The details: - Locust Lake State Park is known for camping, boating, fishing and other outdoor recreation. - PPFF President Marci Mowery said paddle sports are relatively affordable and accessible in many communities. - Mowery said the launch will help children and adults experience freedom, confidence, exercise and joy on the water. - Cornell University’s annual Disability Status Report says 7.3% of Pennsylvania’s population has an ambulatory disability. - Pennsylvania’s aging population makes accessible recreation increasingly important. - ADA-accessible boat launches can reduce mobility barriers and support physical and mental well-being. - PPFF sought input from people with lived experience during the design process. - That feedback helped shape a final design described as functional and inclusive. - Park Manager Ron Guilland called the launch a major enhancement and praised PPFF’s work to expand recreational access. - Guilland thanked the Foundation, donors and other supporters for helping make the launch possible. - The project was financed in part by a grant from the Community Conservation Partnerships Program Environmental Stewardship Fund under the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation. - The Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers administered the project through its Statewide Watershed Access Grant Program. - Private donations matched part of the funding.

Between the lines: - The launch reflects a shift toward universal design in outdoor recreation, where access features are built in rather than added later. - PPFF’s role as a nonprofit partner to state parks and forests positions the organization as a connector among donors, volunteers and public agencies. - The design process suggests accessibility efforts are improving when people with direct experience help shape the final result.

What's next: - PPFF says visitors can learn more about accessible recreation opportunities in Pennsylvania state parks and forests, support future accessibility projects and find ways to get involved through the foundation’s website. - The new launch is expected to provide long-term access for visitors who want to paddle, spend time outdoors and make use of the park’s water access. - Continued partnerships and donor support will likely shape future accessibility upgrades at other public lands sites.

The bottom line: - The Locust Lake launch is a practical accessibility upgrade with broad impact: it lowers barriers, widens participation and makes a popular state park more usable for more Pennsylvanians.