Friends Of Nockamixon State Park

Friends of Nockamixon State Park Win Grant for Wheelchair Accessible Boat Ramp

Canoe and kayak users with disabilities are one step closer to getting a wheelchair accessible boat dock at Nockamixon State Park, thanks to the efforts of the park’s volunteer friends group and Harlon’s Fund at The Philadelphia Foundation. The Friends of Nockamixon State Park (FONSP) received a $5,000 grant through The Foundation towards building the ADA compliant canoe and kayak launch system at Nockamixon Lake.

“Launching a canoe or kayak at Nockamixon State Park will be a whole lot easier and safer for Pennsylvanians with disabilities with the new EZ Launch dock,” Friends Group Chair Mike Quinn says, “We are very grateful to the Harlon’s Fund for this grant.”

Quinn adds that the Friends group has raised $2,200.00 but they still need additional funds to complete the project and he asks that everyone  who can make a donation to this project do so. To that end, the friends group is reaching out to the community to raise the additional $25,000 for the dock. The volunteer group is working with the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the EZ Dock ® Company on the project.

The “EZ Launch” system includes a platform with rollers to smoothly move boats in and out of the water, and a transfer bench for wheelchair users. The specialized dock allows paddlers to move from wheelchair to bench and then directly into their boat, providing a stable and safe means to board and recover kayaks and canoes from the water.

The project is part of a larger effort to increase accessible recreation opportunities in parks across the state spearheaded by the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation and its chapters. A wheelchair accessible dock was recently completed in Pittsburgh’s Point State Park, and another is proposed for Gifford Pinchot State Park in central Pennsylvania. Find more information about making a contribution to the Nockamixon dock.

The Philadelphia Foundation serves Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, specializing in generosity well spent. Through the 900 funds established by its donors, it distributes about $20 million annually to about 1,000 nonprofits. For more information, visit www.philafund.org.

Your contribution of any dollar amount is tax deductable and would be greatly appreciated.

If you donate on line, please add the words “FONSP EZ Dock” in the comment box on the donation page. If you choose to send in a check, please make it out to PPFF with the words “FONSP EZ Dock” in the memo line and send to our address on this web site.

INTO MOUNTAIN BIKING?

Check out the website www.ridenox.com for a complete description of Nockamixon State Park's Mountain Bike trail.

Please remember, the Mountain Bike trail is the only trail that mountain biking is allowed on in the park.