Elk Rapids Rotary Park Improvements - Paddle Antrim

Paddle Antrim is a 501(C)3 organization whose mission is protect our water resource by using paddle sports and is leading efforts to develop the Chain of Lakes Water trail. GFA worked with Paddle Antrim and the Village of Elk Rapids to develop engineering plans for improvements to the Elk Rapids Rotary Park. The goal of these improvements was to provide universally accessible non-motorized access to the Chain of Lakes Water Trail and included:

• A non-motorized universally accessible launch
• An expanded parking area with designated loading/unloading zones and trailer parking
• Fully plumped restrooms with a changing station
• Boat washing station to prevent the spread of invasive species
• Rain garden with native plants to mitigate storm water runoff
• Dredging a channel in the Elk River to remove sunken stumps and logs and provide safe access to the existing boating channel
• A kayak rack, bike rack, wayfinding signs and universally accessible picnic tables

In additional to providing conceptual planning services, engineering design and construction engineering services, GFA assisted Paddle Antrim is securing grants from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to provide additional funding to the private donations they had received. Construction is anticipated to begin in the Summer of 2024.