The Roanoke Outside Foundation is making a continuing commitment to blueway access in the Roanoke Region. And backing it up with funding for a number of projects. So far, the foundation has donated $17,000 to river and lake access projects that will give more people an opportunity to enjoy the region’s waterways.
Thanks to community support and funding the following projects are getting off the ground:
- Smith Mountain Lake Community Park boat launch for kayaks, canoes, and SUPs is expected to open in January.
- Intervale Park and River Access on the Jackson River will include parking and a concrete ramp into the river. It will open July 4.
- James River Gala Access Point will have a new concrete ramp into the water and will open in the fall.
In addition to these projects, the Roanoke Outside Foundation is also running a crowdfunding campaign to help build a low-profile dock at Carvins Cove.
Carvins Cove is an ideal body of water for rowing, but you rarely see a rower or sculler on the water. A low profile dock will make it easier and safer for these crafts (and kayaks, canoes and SUPs) to get on the water without the fear of taking a spill into the water, providing greater accessibility to even more outdoor users.
The crowdfunding campaign, which is already underway, aims to raise $23,000 to install a 10’ x 60’ low-profile dock at Carvins Cove. The goal is to get this project funded and installed by the October GO Outside Festival. This is a proven model in the region – in 2016, the Foundation raised $80,000 in crowdfunding to build the Kayak Launch at The Bridges.