SOUTHWICK – The North Boat Ramp reopened to the public this week following renovations by the Office of Fishing and Boating Access.
Lake Management Chirman Richard Grannells said a 40-foot long high-profile grooved slab of concrete replaced the individual pads that degraded over decades of use.
The one-inch grooves are at a 45-degre angle and are built to last. Grannells said the improvement will be a benefit to those using the ramp, located on Point Grove Road.
“This is the new standard. It’s much safer,” he said.
A new boarding dock abutment was installed, as well as a boarding dock and handicap accessible walkways. A second boarding dock is set for installation in the spring. Improvements are also planned next year for the South Boat Ramp. The renovations were paid for with a combination of state and federal funds.
The new boarding dock also includes a wheel stop.
“This way we won’t have anyone go over the edge,” said Grannells.
The second dock will be used mainly to drop-off and pick-up passengers from boats already in the water.
The ramp area benches that overlook the water are now available for replacement with memorial benches, Grannells said.
For a cost of about $800, a nw composite and iron bench featuring an engraced seat back bearing he name of the honored person, can replace one of the existing benches. Grannells said the turnaround for a new bench is six-eight weeks and is a beautiful addition to the well used ramp, which also has a gazebo, pier, and visitor center.
Grannells said the lakes in Southwick are some of the busiest across the state. At the North Ramp alone, Grannells said thre are nearly 6,000 paid launches a year. He guessed there is probably anothr 1,000 launches made off-hours.
“We have 80-plus fishing tournaments a season, and one of, if not the largest, uses in Massachusetts,” Grannells said.
Grannells was happy to see the improvements and said it has been on his radar for some time.
“We have been trying to do this for years,” he said. “It’s good to have this done and it should all be ready in the spring for the next season.”
