Accessible Kayak Launch To Be Installed at Hudson Crossing Park
Hudson Crossing Park is thrilled to announce that a brand-new accessible kayak launch will be installed in spring of 2026, representing a major step forward in making outdoor recreation available to visitors of all ages and abilities. The launch will be professionally installed by BoardSafe, a national leader in adaptive waterfront access, ensuring that paddlers with mobility challenges can enter and exit the water with comfort, stability, and confidence.
Hudson Crossing Park is also excited to share that it has received four adaptive kayaks–two tandem and two single–from Rochester Accessible Adventures. These kayaks, designed specifically for individuals who need additional support, will allow more members of the community to the recreational opportunities available while paddling on the Champlain Canal. Announcements will be made in the spring about opportunities to use these new kayaks.
This project was made possible through generous grant support, including a $7,500 Trail Grant from Saratoga County, $24,999 Quality of Life Grant from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, and $15,000 from AARP. Hudson Crossing Park extends its deepest appreciation to these partners for their commitment to expanding inclusive recreation opportunities in our region.
The addition of the accessible kayak launch will have a meaningful and lasting impact on the community. It opens the door for individuals with mobility disabilities, older adults, and anyone who benefits from extra stability to enjoy independent or assisted kayaking. Families, adaptive athletes, and visitors of all abilities will now be able to share the water together, strengthening social connections and improving access to healthy, outdoor experiences. The launch also enhances local tourism by providing a unique adaptive amenity that will attract paddlers seeking inclusive adventures along the Champlain Canal. Most importantly, this project reinforces Hudson Crossing Park’s ongoing commitment to ensure that everyone, regardless of physical ability, can explore, learn, and recreate in a welcoming environment.
The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation’s Quality of Life Grants Program supports nonprofit organizations that empower individuals living with paralysis. Since the Quality of Life Grants Program’s inception, more than 4,000 grants totaling $48 million have been awarded. Funding for this program was made possible through a cooperative agreement with the Administration for Community Living (ACL grant #90PRRC0006-04).
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for all as we age. Through advocacy, information, and service at both the national and state levels, AARP champions positive social change. Guided by a vision of a society where every person can live with dignity, purpose, and the opportunity to fulfill their goals and dreams, AARP works to create a more inclusive and livable future for all generations.
Hudson Crossing Park is centered on Champlain Canal Lock C5 Island just north of the Village of Schuylerville along Historic Route 4. A 501C3 not-for-profit organization, Hudson Crossing Park’s mission is to tie environmental responsibility to economic revitalization, and to engage people of all ages in making informed choices for a sustainable future. Learn more about this and other upcoming events at www.HudsonCrossingPark.org.