Friends of the Kaw, a river conservation organization, plans to raise money to build a canoe launching site at or near Lecompton.
A river conservation group plans to raise $150,000 to build a canoe launching site on the Kansas River at or near Lecompton.
"We probably would have to acquire the property, and we would have to do some engineering and feasibility studies," said Laura Caldwell, president of Friends of the Kaw, a non-profit river conservation organization.
Friends of the Kaw is considering a site near an old railroad bridge that once spanned the river at Lecompton, she said.
"We're looking strongly at that site," she said.
Construction costs for the canoe launching site vary, depending on the design.
"You could do it for a lot of different dollar amounts," Caldwell said.
But Friends of the Kaw wants to raise about $150,000 for the project.
In addition to the fund-raising effort for the launch site, the organization also is raising money to lobby the Legislature for state support for increased public access to the Kansas River.
The planning for both coincides with the Friends of the Kaw's fifth annual canoe float, which will be Sept. 18 and 19 this year.
"We feel that by getting people on the river, that is what makes people aware of the river and its water quality," Caldwell said.
Reservations are suggested for the float, which has drawn 200 to 300 participants in past years, she said.
The float will begin at the Lake Perry dam and will end at Riverfront Park, near U.S. Highway 40.
People interested in participating in the river trip can have a registration form sent to them by calling 841-8655.
-- Michael Dekker's phone message number is 832-7187. His e-mail address is mdekker@ljworld.com.
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