Tag Archives: ADA dock

Commercial Docks, Dock Design

Fun Waterfront Features for Summer Camps and Parks

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Every recreational dock has a different setup. But there are some key waterfront features that you don’t want to miss. Whether you’re getting ready for a new dock build or just want to make some general repairs and improvements, consider adding these options!

3 Features for Your Camp or Park Dock

If you ask us, one of the best ways to enjoy sunny summer days is to head to the water. Public parks and kids’ summer camps can always benefit from a great dock layout. We love incorporating the following design elements into our work. Any of these features can help guests and campers enjoy more of what your waterfront has to offer.

1. Swim Platform

For most lakes, a swim platform is a must. A small floating dock can give swimmers a great place to rest or soak up the sun. People can have a fun time jumping or diving into the middle of your lake, and it’s all for a relatively low investment. Get your swim platform installed correctly, and it will last for years and years.

2. Low Profile Access

Another thing to think about for your dock is low profile access. When people want to use a kayak or canoe, a low profile dock section can be a helpful bonus. These designs make it easier to get in and out of your boat, on just about any body of water. They are great for rowing teams, too. Parks and camps looking to get a brand new dock should definitely look into these styles.

3. Fishing Pier

You also have to think about the people who enjoy the water, but don’t want to swim or go boating. Building a fishing pier (or improving the one your site already has) can help you cover all of your bases for the general public. If you don’t know where to start, talk with some experienced dock builders in your area. They can help you assess your site and determine what type of floating dock, walkway, or pier you need to accommodate your guests.

Plan for Waterfront Safety and ADA Docks

With any new public dock or fishing pier, you want to consider safety. The right measurements for your water depth, dock length, and slope all matter for new waterfront features. You don’t want a swim platform to be installed too close to the shore. You don’t want to miss any secure railings for your fishing pier either. These might sound like obvious details, but they’re worth double-checking. Find yourself a good contractor so your site stays safe.

Also, consider guests of different abilities. Designing with the ADA-compliant guidelines in mind can help you make your park or camp more accessible to everyone. A review of your existing layout could be a smart place to start. Then you can just make the upgrades you need, rather than redesigning your entire waterfront.

Give our team at Deaton’s Waterfront Services a call when you’re ready to talk through your options. We’re always happy to consult with you on your best options for your site, and more importantly—all of your visitors!

Commercial Docks, Dock Design

Planning ADA Fishing Piers with Your Dock Builder

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When you’re in charge of a public dock, you want to make sure that visitors can enjoy their favorite waterfront activities in a safe and convenient way. That’s why the Accessibility Guidelines for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are so important. An ADA-compliant fishing pier gives everyone the chance to reel in a big catch!

ADA Checklist for Your Public Fishing Pier

Incorporating some practical features with your fishing pier design helps sites stay compliant with the ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG). A good place to start is with an accessible route to the fishing pier or platform entrance. It’s not enough to have ramps for the fishing area itself. Visitors must first be able to reach the site. This is the first item on the ADA Checklist for Existing Facilities. From there, you can begin to assess some of your other features, including:

  • Gangway Slope and Length
  • Transition Plates/Ramp Landings
  • Handrails and Railings
  • Clear Floor Space
  • Edge Protection

If you don’t know what to watch for, following the guidelines can sometimes seem daunting. But when you’re working with an experienced team of dock builders, you’ll be able to include all of the ADA fishing pier features with a seamless design. You don’t have to figure out the details all on your own.

For example, dock builders can help confirm that the gangway slope is no more than 1:12. Or, they can work with you to redesign the route for a longer length. They can also help you add a transition plate and a landing, as needed, to make your fishing pier’s ramps more accessible. Paying attention to floating platform or pier movement from wind and waves is another key part of an ADA-compliant site, as this can affect the slope. You’ll also need to make sure you’re providing plenty of fishing opportunities with lowered railings. All of these details should be factored in to your overall design.

Fishing Pier ADA Guidelines for Railing Dispersion

The easiest thing to notice on an ADA-compliant fishing pier is probably the guards. The railings should include sections of a 34” maximum height to give easy fishing access to individuals in wheelchairs. We all want to have the right railings for casting our line, so you’ll need to measure appropriately.

When you look around your fishing pier, at least 25 percent of the handrails and guards in the fishing area need to be below that 34” height. To give enough variety for fishing, these sections should also be dispersed throughout the pier or platform. Different locations can offer varying water depth, shade, and vegetation. Some might be closer to the shoreline, and others could be farther away. That way, there will be lots of fishing choices for each visitor.

Public dock managers should also look at the clear space near these sections. There should be at least one maneuvering space of 30” by 48” inches for wheelchairs to easily turn around. That, plus a 2” curb or barrier will help keep these areas compliant. It takes a lot of measuring, but again, the right dock builders can work with you to get the job done.

Existing Dock Alterations vs. New Dock Builds

Your public fishing pier should be a safe and welcoming environment for people of all abilities. Knowing how to follow the ADAAG can help your community thrive. Whether you’re ready to upgrade your existing facility with an ADA fishing pier or platform, or you’re looking to build a ADA-compliant waterfront feature from the ground up, it always helps to have experience on your side.

Our crew at Deaton’s Waterfront Services is passionate about building docks and fishing piers that are up to code for all types of public waterfront sites. If you aren’t sure where to begin, feel free to give us a call at (317) 747-4933. Our service area covers Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Missouri. We’ve worked on a variety of ADAAG projects over the years, and we’d be happy to help you out too!

Ez Dock

Connecting to Nature with Custom EZ Trail Systems

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When you have a sturdy floating dock, your water activities aren’t limited to boating and swimming. You can also enjoy nature while strolling across an EZ Trail System! These modular walkways offer the perfect setup for making the most of your property. Municipalities, parks, neighborhoods, and schools love these floating docks because they give you the freedom to forge your own trail in an eco-friendly way.

About EZ Trail Systems

The versatile EZ Trail System is a unique offering in the EZ Dock product line because it can be utilized in both land and water designs. Whether you need a path through wetlands or a wooded area, these units can get the job done—with minimal interference to the environment.

  • Suitable for Land and Water
  • Easy to Install—and Easily Moved
  • Less Invasive without Permanent Foundation
  • Meets ADA Guidelines for Accessibility
  • Lasts Longer than Wood Walkways

One of the best parts of the EZ Trail System is that you can reconfigure your system at any time. The pieces can be easily moved, giving you complete control over your layout. Support options also let you suspend your path over vegetation. This can make your system as eco-friendly as possible. Overall, the long-term value is a sound investment for a variety of locations.

EZ Dock Benefits and Uses

The EZ Dock products are great for custom builds because they utilize a modular floating dock system. This creates minimally-invasive trails to help park-goers, environmental workers, and students travel through flood plains and woodlands. EZ Trail Systems can work just about anywhere you need a safe walkway!

Floating Dock Walkways for Community Areas

Why limit your recreational area’s walking paths? With an EZ Trail System, you can let guests travel throughout your camp ground or park with ease. Installing a floating dock walkway for your residential area is also easy with this modular system. Consider adding a path across your neighborhood pond, or setting up a new trail throughout the nearby park. Because these platforms work for both water and land, the configurations are endless. You can set up one path across a waterway, and then let it carry on through the woods.

Less Invasive Trails for School Systems

School systems that have a wet areas or bogs on their property can maximize their land with a floating dock walkway. After setting up a custom system, students and staff can enjoy nature up close along the pathways. These paths are great because they let you take the science lab outdoors, set a new scene for art class, and more. And since the floating docks don’t disrupt the environment with extensive digging or installation, you can feel confident that you’re doing your part to protect nature.

Contact Your EZ Dock Dealer

Getting your own EZ Trail System is simple to order and install. Just contact your local EZ Dock dealer to start the conversation. With so many configuration options, you’re sure to find the perfect setup for your own walkway.

If you’re in the Deaton’s Waterfront Services area, we’d be happy to help you out. We work on projects all throughout Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Missouri. Whether you’re looking for a long or short path, accessible ramps, or even a floating dock platform, our team can help you out. Our careful design process will help you get everything you need in your new outdoor feature. Contact us today to learn more!