Portage’s New Accessible Canoe and Kayak Launch: A Community Effort to Enhance River Access for All

Wisconsin is known for its stunning natural beauty, with many of its most remarkable landscapes shaped by water. For locals and visitors alike, the state's waterways offer endless opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, and more. Portage, WI, is ideally situated between the Wisconsin and Fox Rivers, making it a perfect spot for water enthusiasts. However, not everyone can easily access these waterways and enjoy the paddling adventures that others take for granted.

To address this, the Portage community came together for an inspiring project: creating an accessible canoe and kayak launch at the city's Hwy 33 Wayside Landing, near the historic Fort Winnebago site on the Fox River. This launch location is particularly unique as it sits near the historic surgeon quarters of Fort Winnebago, where U.S. Army surgeons once resided.

The launch was designed to be accessible to everyone, providing a safe and easy way for those with mobility challenges to enjoy the river. Our talented team at General Engineering Company (GEC), including Kory Anderson and Scott Richardson, generously donated over 15 hours of their time to this project. They meticulously developed the site plan for the 155-foot sidewalk, ensuring it met ADA compliance while providing direct access to the canoe/kayak launch. Kory, our Vice President, also played a role in coordinating with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Portage Park and Recreation Director Toby Monogue to confirm the surrounding wetland locations and assisted with the project's construction coordination.

Thanks to the hard work and dedication placed into this project, many people can now experience the Fox River in an inclusive and accessible way, highlighting what a community can achieve when it comes together to solve a problem.

Project Notes:

• Community project in partnership with the Portage Park and Recreation, the Portage Service Club Association, and the Portage Chamber of Commerce.
• A grant was obtained to help support the project.

GEC Services Provided Include:

• Civil site design