Launch Costs
Land acquisition, driveways, and parking usually make up the most expensive aspects of a fully developed canoe and kayak launch. But access to the water can be simple and basic—a stable riverbank or shoreline provides a secure and functional beginning and/or ending to many water trail trips.
Launches should always be resistant to hydrological changes, and a trampled, heavily used site will erode without structures to protect it. The cost of bank stabilization ranges from $50 per foot to more than $150 per foot, depending on the site and degree of use.
Depending on the facilities already in place, the expense of developing a new canoe and kayak launch varies considerably. A launch with a four-step approach to the water (parking and a path already existed) can cost around $12,500. A launch within reasonable distance of an existing street, including parking and security lights (no restrooms), can usually be constructed for less than $50,000, which is the grant limit for Boat Access Area Development Program grants.
A good example of a low-cost basic launch, including parking, signs, bank stabilization, and other features, exists in the Blackwell Forest Preserve, at Mack Road, on the DuPage River’s West Branch. An itemized estimate of a similar design is shown below.
| ITEM | QUANTITY | UNIT | UNIT PRICE | TOTAL PRICE |
| Erosion Control Fence | 30 | lin. ft. | $3.00 | $90.00* |
| Earth Excavation | 215 | cu. yd. | $10.00 | $2,150.00 |
| Aggregate Base Course 8" | 215 | cu. yd. | $25.00 | $5,375.00 |
| Furnish & Place Topsoil 6" | 135 | sq. yd. | $2.00 | $270.00** |
| Seeding Class 1 | 0.03 | acre | $4000.00 | $120.00 |
| Mulch Method | 0.06 | ton | $1000.00 | $60.00 |
| Cable Gate | 1 | ea. | $1000.00 | $1000.00 |
| Sign - Entrance | 1 | ea. | $3000.00 | $3000.00 |
| Sign - General Info. | 1 | ea. | $500.00 | $500.00 |
| Sign - Preserve Regulations | 1 | ea. | $200.00 | $200.00 |
| Sign - No Dumping/Fine | 1 | ea. | $200.00 | $200.00 |
| Sign - No Recycle | 1 | ea. | $150.00 | $150.00 |
| Sign - Take Out | 1 | ea. | $50.00 | $50.00 |
| Sign - Stop | 1 | ea. | $90.00 | $90.00 |
| Wheel Stops | 3 | ea. | $40.00 | $120.00*** |
| Refuse Can | 1 | ea. | $100.00 | $100.00 |
| Recycle Can | 1 | ea. | $100.00 | $100.00 |
| $13,575.00 X 1.20 (contingency) _____________ $16,290 |
* Assuming fence is placed along stream bank
** Assuming 2' wide restoration around perimeter
*** Used to prevent cars from entering water
Estimates provided courtesy of the Planning and Development Department, Forest Preserve District of DuPage County.
The cost of a launch site increases under more severe conditions such as very steep banks, high velocity water, large fluctuations in water level, and other obstacles. Costs also may be higher to develop handicapped access, but this will vary depending on land and water conditions, the disability or disabilities being provided for, and the particular facilities desired at the site.
