The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund has recommended a $230,000 grant be awarded to the South Haven Area Recreation Authority for a project to install a kayak and canoe launch along the Black River on Phoenix Road in Casco Township. South Haven City Manager Kate Hosier tells WSJM News this comes as kayaking grows in popularity.
“This would have a similar kayak launch site spot for accessibility to what we have at Black River Park,” Hosier said. “If you’ve been down there, there’s a launch where you can get into the water if you have limited mobility with a ramp and everything like that.”
The South Haven and Van Buren County Convention and Visitors Bureau would put up the rest of the $325,000 cost for the launch. Hosier says the project could get started this year.
“We are now waiting for the Legislature to approve it this spring, and if it’s done, then we anticipate that we would start site work and design, project bidding late spring to early summer of 2022.”
The launch could be open next spring. The visitors bureau purchased the land for the project in 2019 and deeded it to the recreation authority last year. The city of South Haven is one of the partners in the authority.
