New boat launch in Maryland is a “game-changer”
By Erin Pant and Bob Green
Visit Seneca Landing Special Park on any weekend—or most weekdays for that matter—and you are sure to encounter a crowd. The park, located in Poolesville, Md., adjacent to Lock 24 on the historic C&O Canal, is a draw for birders, bikers, history buffs, and boaters. It serves as one of the busiest entry points to the Potomac River. However, until recently, this amenity wasn’t easily accessible for all.
Identifying An Obstacle
For years, Team River Runner, a national, non-profit organization that provides adventure and adaptive paddle sports to veterans and their families, has hosted a kayak program at the park. The program provides patients from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, as well as veterans from the community, an opportunity to experience the social, physical, and emotional benefits of nature. According to the organization, time spent on the water offers a “river to recovery,” allowing veterans to find health, healing, community, purpose, and new challenges. While the program was very popular, the group faced one unintended challenge: difficulty reaching the water. Kayakers shared the long, pavement ramp down to the water with motorized boats, which presented safety issues.