Roads and bridges span many streams and rivers in the Chesapeake region, but few of them provide safe and easy access to the water. The Friends want to change that. We are working to have new policies that would require safe pullouts for cars, places where small boats can be launched, and spots for fishermen. Creating these points would greatly expand safe access to our waters.
More often than not, when bridges are constructed or reconstructed no consideration is given to providing safe access to the waterway from the roadway or bridge. We'd like to change that.
Why?
Because improving canoeing, kayaking and fishing access offers many benefits, including:
Safety - providing adequate facilities along travel corridors improves safety for recreation users and motorists alike.
Recreation and Transportation - in many waterfront communities around the country, people are choosing canoe or kayak commuting as a means of transportation or recreation.
Health - these activities are known to improve fitness, mental health and well being.
Environmental stewardship - reconnecting people to their rivers, streams and other water-bodies helps to increase stewardship of the environment.
Quality of Life - communities that provide access to waterways are, in general, more desirable, attracting new business and visitors.
Economic stimulus and jobs -local communities that have enhanced access to navigable waters for paddlers and anglers, have experienced economic stimulus through ecotourism and development of watertrails.
Economies of Scale - Construction in and about the potential access area will already occur during road or bridge repair and/or construction.