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VERA CRUZ PADDLESPORT LAUNCH PROJECT

Creating Opportunities for Kayaking, Canoeing, Paddleboarding, Floating down the Wabash River

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What is the Vera Cruz Paddlesports Launch Project?

The Vera Cruz Kayak Launch Project is the combined efforts of the Town of Vera Cruz, Indiana, Bluffton Kayak and Hiking Club, Wells County Commissioners, and Wells County Trails to install a paddlesports launch location directly downstream of the SR 301 bridge over the Wabash River.  The project will include a stone parking lot, 12 foot access driveway, and concrete kayak launch ramp.  The goal is to match the amenities at the White Bridge regarding ease of access to the river.   

Where is the Project Located At?

The project is located in Vera Cruz, Indiana on the northwest side of the SR 301 bridge.  The project is loaded approximately halfway between the existing launch sites at Linn Grove, Indiana in Adams County, and at the White Bridge east of Bluffton, Indiana in Wells County.  Click this link to go to an interactive map showing the existing and proposed paddlesports launch sites in our immediate area.

Project Timeline

Why is this Project Important?

The Vera Cruz Paddlesport Launch is expected to be installed in the winter of 2023.  We are working with Engineering Resources, Miller Land Surveying, and Three Rivers Wetland Consultants to get the necessary permits and approvals to develop this project
 
The Vera Cruz Kayak Launch Project is important in 3 main ways to our community.  First it creates a key access point along the Wabash River that splits the kayak trip in half between the improved kayak launch point at Linn Grove and the kayak launch point at the White Bridge (450 E).  This creates two easily achievable kayak trips along the Wabash River.  The trips being from Linn Grove to Vera Cruz, Vera Cruz to the White Bridge, White Bridge to Main Street Bridge, Main Street Bridge to Rose Rd. (Future Launch Point), and Rose Road to Markle. The second way this project is important to our community is that it promotes more people to interact with our waterways and the health of our local ecosystem.  Whether you are on the river to get exercise, to check out our communities natural beauty, or to go fishing being out in the water raises the awareness of water quality and land resource preservation.  The healthier the Wabash River is the more useful it is to our community as a resource.  Thirdly, this project will help to keep the recent growth in kayaking and recreation on the Wabash River that we have seen over the past couple years.  Providing another high quality access point along the Wabash River will make it easier and more enjoyable for more people to get to enjoy the sport of kayaking and the great resource that we have in the Wabash River.  Having this as a resource will act as a quality of life improvement for our community and a tourism driver for people who travel to enjoy using different rivers in Indiana.  Having an active waterway is a a great way to grow our community and utilize our natural resources.

How can I help?

Share about the Vera Cruz Kayak Launch project with your friends and family in person and on social media!  You can also help monetary by considering making a financial gift to Wells County Trails, Inc.  Wells County Trails, Inc. is part of the Wells County Revitalization which is a not-for-profit 501c(3) organization. You can make a cash or check donation to Wells County Trails, Inc. by mailing it or dropping it off to the Wells County Foundation - Attn: Wells County Trails, Inc. at 222 W. Market St., Bluffton, IN 46714
Donation Information

Vera Cruz Kayak Launch Ask Document
 

Donate Online Today!

Click Here for Link or Scan QR Code
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