On October 4th, Councillor Jenny Gerbasi and Crescent Park Rescue officially opened the new Crescent Drive Park canoe and kayak launch site, located at 781 Crescent Drive in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
“By increasing river access this project encourages active transportation and recreational use of our rivers,” said Municipal Relations Minister Jeff Wharton. “Supporting local infrastructure that builds active and healthy communities makes our province a better place to live, work and play.”
The new canoe and kayak launch will enhance river access in Crescent Drive Park, complementing the adjacent active transportation route. Total investment in for this project was $187,000 and includes the following improvements:
- Removable aluminum alloy gangway and floating canoe/kayak dock
- Concrete block and paving stone walkway and platform
- New park bench
“The Crescent Drive Park canoe and kayak launch is a great addition to the active transportation network in the Crescent Drive area,” said Gerbasi. “I’m very grateful to the Crescent Park Rescue for working together with the City and the Province to make this launch site a reality.”
“The residents of East Fort Garry are pleased to see the addition of a canoe/kayak dock on the Red River in Crescent Drive Park,” said Ronald Mazur, chair, Crescent Park Rescue. “The canoe/kayak dock will add to the outdoor recreation opportunities available at Crescent Drive Park and at the adjacent Crescent Drive Golf Course.”
In addition to launch improvements, the Red River shoreline was re-graded and reinforced with 10 cable-concrete erosion protection mats.
Improvements to the canoe launch and shoreline were partially funded by the City’s Riverbank Greenways Capital Program in the amount of $129,000 and the Building Communities Initiatives (BCI) II Phase III in the amount of $58,000.
