Many of the waterways in the State have benefitted from the addition of a kayak launch. From 2009 to 2017 U.S. kayak sales have increased by roughly 55%. Many public spaces, including some newly created parks, have installed a kayak launch to see the level of visitors increase dramatically, adding vitality to previously forgotten or underutilized spaces.
Notably, kayaks are less expensive than other types of boats and democratize water access. Planning efforts, led by Chautauqua County, have been underway for Barcelona Harbor to capitalize on this trend, as detailed in the area’s Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan, an ongoing multi-year effort to activate and improve the county’s waterfront areas. These efforts call for kayak launches accessible to those with various disabilities, not only expanding water recreation access across economic groups, but across physical boundaries as well.