Tag Archives: EZ Trail System

Kayaking, Parks and Recreation, Uncategorized

6 Family Friendly Activities to Do Around Morse Reservoir

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We’re starting to see the weather warm up around central Indiana! The ice and snow has melted, and now people are looking for activities they can do to help keep their family entertained while we still deal with the effects of coronavirus. Fortunately, a family won’t have to go far to find fun on the water! Located in Cicero, Indiana, Morse Reservoir offers several fun things that will leave you with a fantastic time on the water. Today, we’ll look at a few ideas to get your family out on the water!

6 Morse Reservoir Family Friendly Activities

1. Visit the Beach

We couldn’t start a blog about Morse Reservoir without mentioning Morse Park and Beach. Located on the border of Cicero, this small 20 acre park offers many activities to fulfill a fun day. There’s a playground, disc golf course, and a small beach! Get away from the stress of the world and relax on the warm sand. Morse Beach is the only spot designated for swimming on the reservoir.

2. Go Kayaking

Kayakers will love Morse. It is the only body of water in Central Indiana with an EZ Dock Kayak Launch. Located in Red Bridge Park in Cicero, the launch allows for kayak or small canoe owners to safely launch into the lake without accidentally slipping into the water. There’s no cost to use the launch, so don’t be too intimidated to get out on the water and go paddling!

3. Fish Like A Pro

Morse Reservoir offers many great spots to go fishing. The best spot to cast a line, is located right next to the Kayak Launch! Right next to the launch in Red Bridge Park is a large fishing pier. There is plenty of room for several people on the pier, so overcrowding shouldn’t be a problem.

4. Have A Lakeside Meal

There are several good restaurants located on Morse that will give you a beautiful view while you eat. The two that we’ll highlight today are Wolfies, and the Boathouse. Wolfies is located right next to the Morse Public Launch Ramp, and offers tons of great food options that are priced decently. The Boathouse allows for boaters to dock right at the restaurant! So if you’re out in the boat for a cruise, stop by and eat some delicious food.

5. Go Hiking on a Trail

Located just 10 minutes east of Morse, Strawtown’s Koteewi Park offers several activities for family fun. Among these activities includes their beautiful nature trail. Using an EZ Trail system, the nature trail allows hikers to enjoy the parks scenic prairies and wetlands.

6.  Have Fun Horseback Riding

Also located in Koteewi Park is an equestrian trail for riding horses. No experience is needed because the park offers guided tours! Riding on a horse is a sure way to create a memory that will last a lifetime.

Morse Reservoir is a great lake to keep the family entertained. So plan your trip, and make sure you make the most of your visit!

If you’re a homeowner in Morse and need service on your dock, boat lift, or seawall feel free to give Deaton’s Waterfront Services a call at 317-747-4933! Our team will send an expert out to give you a free estimate and come up with a solution that perfectly fits your needs.

 

Commercial Docks, Deaton's Waterfront Services News, Dock Design

Our Favorite Community Dock Projects of 2018

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As we get into another year, we like to look back on past success. We completed a lot of waterfront projects in 2018, but a couple stand out. Our two favorite public dock projects are unique because they each have special features that make them a “first” for the state of Indiana.

Because both of these Indiana docks are on public sites, you can go check them out for yourself. They’ll be sure to get a lot of traffic in the years ahead. We’re always honored to help with community dock projects. These two installations are definitely great park additions!

Cicero Kayak Launch on Morse Lake

Deaton’s Waterfront Services had the privilege of working on a new kayak launch located in Cicero, Indiana on Morse Lake in the first half of 2018. Located in Charlie’s Landing inside Red Bridge Park, the kayak launch is now a major focal point and an extremely popular attraction for the area. We celebrated the ribbon cutting on June 20, 2018 with over 300 people in attendance, including politicians and dignitaries from the surrounding area.

Red Bridge Park

697 W Jackson Street

Cicero, IN 46034

This public dock kayak launch was made possible through a grant process guided by Cicero Park Director Charlie Cambre, along with donations from numerous Cicero Park enthusiasts. It’s always nice to involve the community with these park upgrades.

What makes this project unique is that it’s the very first ADA kayak launch in all of Central Indiana. Special features make it safe and convenient for visitors of all abilities. The gangway that leads to the main dock measures 5’ x 32’ and has aluminum railing on both sides of the walkway. The gangway leading to the floating dock portion also has plenty of room for users. Multiple paddlers can now access the launch simultaneously.

With a 15’ x 20’ area and two accessible kayak/canoe launches, this is a new must-see destination for paddling enthusiasts, as well as first-time kayakers and canoers.

Laporte EZ Trail System on Little Calumet River

Our other favorite project of 2018 was an EZ Trail System for Red Mill County Park, located on the Little Calumet River in LaPorte, Indiana. Deaton’s Waterfront Services was hired to connect the Cattail Loop Trail with the Nature Preserve Trail. This new floating walkway is now called the Margaret Buerger Bridge.

Red Mill County Park

0185 South Holmesville Road

LaPorte, IN 46350

This EZ Trail System was also made possible through a grant. LaPorte County Parks Director Jeremy Sobecki worked to guide the application process. The result is something that the entire community can be proud of!

We are especially proud of this public dock project because it’s the very first floating observation walkway in Indiana. The environmentally-friendly structure allows the wetlands water to fluctuate during every season. So even though the water levels are different in the spring/summer to the fall/winter, the walkway will be able to rise and fall without disrupting the habitat.

The floating trail is 80” wide and stretches 240’ in length. Railing was installed on both sides. There are also benches on either side so visitors can stop to enjoy the views.

Got a Floating Dock Question? We Can Help!

Moving forward with a new dock for your public dock, local park, or commercial site can be a big undertaking. But at Deaton’s Waterfront Services, we’re here to simplify the process. From the initial consultation and design stage, right through the installation and until opening day, our team can help make your new dock project a success.

If you’d like to learn more about our process, be sure to send us a message or call our office at (317) 747-4933. We’re always happy to talk through your options, and we work all throughout Indiana and the surrounding states. Let’s talk!

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!