WE'VE DONE IT!
Access Ada Hayden Updates:
24 August 2022: It's in, and operational! (see Access Ada Hayden Facebook Post and photo) And the City has invited the community to a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony to be held at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 21st.
Many thanks to our donors and to the Access Ada Hayden Partners (Friends of Ada Hayden Heritage Park, JAX and the Outdoor Alliance of Story County). Together we raised over $31,000 in donations (including $2680 from the GoFundMe campaign and $3430 in raffle proceeds) plus $12,000 in grants!
The dock and launch can be used in a variety of ways depending on the abilities of each user. Everyone will appreciate that their boat is held rock-solid stable as they enter and exit, and if they intend to use the boat slide (to drag their boat to the launch point), they'll need to bring a short length of rope.
We're very much looking forward to seeing some new faces on the lake, so thank you again and please help spread the word!
June 2022: The dock has been ordered, constructed and is ready for delivery. Unfortunately contractor availability has delayed preparations for the installation.
31 May 2021: Congratulations to Steve Pecenka of Ames! Steve's name was drawn for the canoe and he stopped by as we celebrated reaching and exceeding our $35,000 goal! Thank you all for your support, and thanks to JAX for their help in making the raffle and fundraiser a great success!
24 August 2022: It's in, and operational! (see Access Ada Hayden Facebook Post and photo) And the City has invited the community to a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony to be held at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 21st.
Many thanks to our donors and to the Access Ada Hayden Partners (Friends of Ada Hayden Heritage Park, JAX and the Outdoor Alliance of Story County). Together we raised over $31,000 in donations (including $2680 from the GoFundMe campaign and $3430 in raffle proceeds) plus $12,000 in grants!
The dock and launch can be used in a variety of ways depending on the abilities of each user. Everyone will appreciate that their boat is held rock-solid stable as they enter and exit, and if they intend to use the boat slide (to drag their boat to the launch point), they'll need to bring a short length of rope.
We're very much looking forward to seeing some new faces on the lake, so thank you again and please help spread the word!
June 2022: The dock has been ordered, constructed and is ready for delivery. Unfortunately contractor availability has delayed preparations for the installation.
31 May 2021: Congratulations to Steve Pecenka of Ames! Steve's name was drawn for the canoe and he stopped by as we celebrated reaching and exceeding our $35,000 goal! Thank you all for your support, and thanks to JAX for their help in making the raffle and fundraiser a great success!
Access Ada Hayden is a committee of paddlers who have partnered with the City of Ames and others to purchase and install an accessible dock and launch at Ada Hayden Heritage Park.
Board Safe Dock and Launch at Friendswood, Texas The Board Safe Adaptive Launch features a large floating platform, an ADA-compliant gangway and a "boat slide." The slide stabilizes the canoe or kayak as one enters, and a transfer bench and grab rails accommodate people with a wide range of physical abilities. There are several good demonstration videos on the Board Safe website and YouTube Page.
Early in the effort we learned that the nearest installation was in Ohio, but David made the trip and favorably reported on his findings. You'll find videos of his experience on our Access Ada Hayden Facebook Page.
The City is on board!
In September 2019 the group presented a proposal to the City of Ames Parks & Rec Commission. The Commission approved (as did the City Council) and the project was placed in their Capital Improvements Plan, with partial funding for the 2021-2022 budget year. The Access Ada Hayden group was tasked to raise an additional $35,000 in partner funding.
Since that time we have raised approximately $21,000 towards our goal! We've received a $6,000 grant from the Story County Community Foundation and support from several organizations, including a very generous pledge from the Friends of Ada Hayden Heritage Park.
BUT WE NEED YOUR HELP!
We hope that you'll share in our excitement for this project! Imagine the potential for everyone to enjoy the mental and physical benefits that come with paddling, and for some, the opportunity to experience Ada Hayden Lake for the very first time!
Our goal is to raise the entire $35,000 before July 2021, in hopes that the dock and launch can be purchased and installed before the end of the '21 paddling season.
Donations can be made online at our Access Ada Hayden Go Fund Me Page or can be mailed to to the Outdoor Alliance of Story County at P.O. Box 1863, Ames, Iowa 50010 (Please note "Access Ada Hayden" on your check).
Our goal is to raise the entire $35,000 before July 2021, in hopes that the dock and launch can be purchased and installed before the end of the '21 paddling season.
Donations can be made online at our Access Ada Hayden Go Fund Me Page or can be mailed to to the Outdoor Alliance of Story County at P.O. Box 1863, Ames, Iowa 50010 (Please note "Access Ada Hayden" on your check).
CANOE RAFFLE!
You can also support this project by participating in our Canoe Raffle! Raffle tickets for a 15ft handcrafted cedar strip canoe are available at JAX Outdoor Gear and from individuals associated with Access Ada Hayden. The drawing is to be held at Ada Hayden Park on Memorial Day, May 31st.
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