🛶💙 Hidden Ontario Adventure Alert! 💙🛶

Looking for a place where everyone can enjoy the water? 🌊

FES Tourism {Ontario Visited, Ontario Agritourism}, recently joined Angela Smith and the Municipality of Central Huron to celebrate the opening of the new Ball’s Bridge Accessible Kayak & Canoe Launch Ramp, and while the ceremony is over, the opportunities are just beginning!

📍 Located near Clinton and Goderich
💲 FREE to use
♿ Accessible for all abilities
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Perfect for families, friends, neighbours, youth and visitors

Down to the Launch Site

Angela Smith explains:

✨ “The accessible kayak launch is designed to allow all users access to the river. People can wheel right onto the dock, use the transfer bench, and get directly into their kayak. It opens nature back up and access for those who need accommodation … and it’s FREE!”

Not only does the launch improve accessibility, it also makes getting on the water easier and safer for everyone.

🚣 No more slippery rocks.
🚣 No more muddy riverbanks.
🚣 Less “tippy factor” when getting in and out.

Simply place your kayak or canoe in the launch chute, hold the railing, slide in, and you’re ready to paddle!

Angela and Central Huron give special thanks also to Julie Sawchuk, Sawchuk Accessible Solutions who was instrumental in this project happening! Check back to Ontario Visited for More of “Julie’s Story”!

https://www.juliesawchuk.ca/

Learning how it works.

An inspiring moment from “Scoop” (Judi McWilliams, co-owner FES Tourism), who shared:

💬 “I feel freedom for the first time in a long time. I used to kayak every day, and since being in a wheelchair that wasn’t possible. Today I have the ability and freedom to get back to kayaking. I feel absolutely alive and can hardly wait to come back with the grandkids and family.”

❤️ Stories like this remind us that accessibility isn’t just about infrastructure—it’s about freedom, adventure, and creating opportunities for everyone to experience Ontario’s beautiful outdoors.

Getting into the kayak

🎀🛶 PART 2: The Kayak is Pushed… The Adventure Begins! 🛶🎀

What does it take to turn a great idea into an accessible community asset?

At the official opening of the Ball’s Bridge Accessible Kayak & Canoe Launch, the answer was simple:

FES Tourism ~ Ontario Visited shares the experience!!!

❤️ Community!!

The celebration brought together residents, community partners, supporters, and local leaders to officially open a launch that is already changing lives.

Accessibility kayak launch

🎤 Mayor Jim Ginn shared his vision for the future:

“We’ve got plans of becoming the first fully accessible downtown in Ontario. We’re getting close, and we’ll give it our best shot.”

He also praised the many people and organizations that helped bring the project to life, including the Rick Hansen Foundation, Julie Sawchuk, Sawchuk Accessible Solutions, ACW Council, Community Living Central Huron, local supporters, volunteers, and project champion Angela Smith.

Central Huron Mayor speaks about the new launch

🌊 Set beside the beautiful Ball’s Bridge, the launch creates safer and easier river access for everyone while helping more people enjoy one of Central Huron’s most scenic natural spaces.

But perhaps the most remarkable story was how quickly it all happened.

⏰ Angela Smith explained that the project nearly didn’t happen at all.

A community newsletter mentioned a grant opportunity that was about to close. With only days remaining, support letters were gathered, applications were completed, and the proposal was submitted literally in the final moments.

📧 One email.

📄 A handful of support letters.

🤝 A community that rallied together.

🎉 And a successful grant application for the full funding amount.

“It was truly a community effort,” Angela shared.

The project also received support from Community Living Central Huron, local organizations, volunteers, and residents who believed in creating a more accessible future.

💡 And this is only the beginning.

Because the launch is modular, additional accessibility features and expansions can be added in the future as the community continues to grow and improve access for everyone.

Freedom! All Smiles!

❤️ Another emotional moment came when Judi (Ontario Visited), who had not been in a kayak for three years as wheelchair bound, prepared to take part in the official opening.

Surrounded by family, grandchildren, friends, and supporters, she looked forward to returning to the river she loves.