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The newest device to assist the public at Briggs Woods is a kayak launcher. According to Park officer, Kian Thompson, it is a great addition to improve the safety of using the lake.
"It's a really great accessibility item," he said. "It makes it a lot easier to get in and out for everyone."
Thompson said the launchers are not just designed for those with mobility issues, they make the whole process of launching a kayak, canoe or paddle board much easier for all who enjoy the park.
The design of the launchers seems relatively simple, but they have only been around for about 10 years, he explained. At the Little Wall Lake, they have built something that is similar, but this is much easier to use.The launcher can be used for any type of paddle sport, such as paddle boarding or for entering a canoe in addition to either style of kayak.
The launcher costs about $1400, and was made for a "Connect-a-dock", a dock that snaps together. The conservation staff made adjustments to attach it to the existing dock at the lake. The launcher was purchased after a commitment was made by a private donor to pay for the unit. Donations like this are always welcome, said Brian Lammers, executive director of the Hamilton County Conservation office.
"A two-person kayak would be a great donation," he said.
There are four one-person kayaks currently available to rent at the Briggs Woods Lake, and there are six located at Little Wall Lake. The use of the kayaks seem to be higher at Little Wall Lake, but Thompson feels that is because they are more obvious at Little Wall Lake. The kayaks at Little Wall Lake are located by the boat ramp; at Briggs Woods they are located near the camping host area inside the Briggs Woods Park. He said that eventually they hope to make a place to store them closer to the ramp area.
Locally, he said many of those using kayaks on the lake bring their own. Some of them are designed for fishing. Most weekends, there are many kayaks on the lake. But those who don't own one, can rent one easily from the conservation office. The cost is $10 for 2 hours per kayak.
To rent a kayak, an individual needs to call the conservation office, or find the camping host to rent the kayaks. Life vests must be on each kayak. If under the age of 13, they must be wearing them, if over 13 years old they must have them on the kayak explained Thompson.
The Briggs Woods lake is an electric only lake, which means that no boats should be on the lake using a gas engine can be used on the lake.
The size of the lake and depth of the lake determines what makes it electric only. "It's not safe for gas powered vessels," he explained.
But the lake is ideal for the kayaks any day, as nearly half a dozen were on the lake mid-day on Thursday.
"The lake is getting used by kayakers on any given Saturday," he said, "They are fishing or floating."
With the addition of the launcher, they are hopeful more will use the lake and kayaks.
"I think this goes with a trend we are seeing; pushing for accessibility, trying to improve areas so people know what we've got," said Thompson. "The North American Model of Conservation is encouraging conservation organizations to do more to find the best use for the most amount of people for the longest period of time."
The conservation office no longer rents canoes, explained Lammers.. Canoes need to be registered, he said, and many of the canoes they have leak, and are not worthy of repairing.
"We have to be in compliance with state law," he said. They have kept the canoes to use for water way clean-up projects, and other work they do on waterways.
Most of those regulations are to preserve the safety of people using the parks and lakes. The new launcher, not only makes it easier to get into than from the waters edge, they make it much safer.