Tag Archives: public park dock

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.

 

Parks and Recreation

Fun Things to Do at Strawtown’s Koteewi Park

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There are many great parks and lakes located in the Midwest to experience a fun day on the water. You don’t have to travel far or own a dock to be able to experience the joys and activities that are had on the water.  While many experienced water enthusiasts know exactly where to go to get on the water, there are many people that are uninformed about the lakes in their community. Today we are going to be looking at a park located in Central Indiana, Strawtown’s Koteewi Park.

About Koteewi Park

Koteewi Park is located in Strawtown, just outside of Noblesville in Hamilton County, Indiana. The park is located off State Road 37 and Strawtown Avenue. There are many activities and amenities to experience while at the park including: archery, horse riding, sky trails, snow tubes, and a natural history center. For more information about the park and all the activities offered, check out their website here for directions and park info. The park also offers several waterfront activities, which we’ll look at next.

How to Experience Fun on the Water at Koteewi Park

There are a few different ways to experience the water at Koteewi Park. They offer (3) different styles of EZ Dock products. There’s an EZ Trail, a boat dock, and an EZ Kayak Launch. This allows someone wanting to experience fun on the water the chance to do so at little to no cost. The park allows users to fish, launch their boat, and even explore a trail across a natural wetland. For anyone wanting to experience a relaxing, low-cost day on the water, this is a great place to be!

Finding a spot to get out on the water isn’t always easy. Most travel blogs just want to give out basic information, and not let everyone know the truly great areas that have beautiful lakes and ponds to visit. Fortunately, we here at Deaton’s Waterfront Service are here to pay it forward! We want to get as many people out on the water and forgetting about the stresses of life as possible. If you’re interested in creating a new dock to experience the waterfront, feel free to reach out to us or give us a call at (317) 747-4933.

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, 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!