Work starts for Wilmington kayak launch

Earth moving has begun for a new kayak launch and parking lot on the North Island Park.
A crew from Austin Tyler Company began moving dirt for the enhanced parking lot that will be near the north tip of the park. The project has been two years in the making after the city originally rejected a possible grant in the summer of 2021 fearing liability if someone drowned.
But in 2024 the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Forest Preserve District of Will County awarded grant funding for the $300,000 project, costing the firy about $80,000, one-third the cost. The project will feature a fully accessible floating dock, new parking lot enhancements, and an accessible path to connect the project.
The city will be responsible for maintenance and winter storage for a period of at least 10 years.
An engineer on site from Chamlin and Associates said the project should be completed in about 30 days. He noted the parking lot and path will be completed first, followed by the arrival and installation of the portable ramp. Delivery time frame for the ramp has yet to be factored in.
The ramp will be located upstream of the North Island tip in the mill race portion of the river, close to what locals refer to as the broken dam.