BOATING -- Sportsman Park boat ramp at Hayden Lake has reopened for public use following a $250,000 renovation, Idaho Department of Fish and Game officials said today. Some touch-up work is still underway.

Expanded facilities include more than 40 parking spaces and the access road is wide enough for two vehicles.  An ADA approved disabled parking site is available adjacent to the ramp.

All surfaces have been paved and overhead lighting has been installed. The new boat ramp has been extended 20 feet longer than it was before, and has an expanded radius to back vehicles with trailers down the ramp for faster, safer launching.

A boat preparation area enables boaters to get boats ready to launch without blocking the ramp for others in the process of launching or loading. 

Read on for more details.

The project took more than two years to design, plan and to secure funding.

Sources for funding the $250,000 project include the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation Waterways Improvement Fund (WIF) which is generated by annual boat registrations; and, federal funds through the Dingell-Johnson program (an excise tax on fishing related equipment purchases).

“The main challenges in completing the project were the limited space in which to work heavy equipment and the steep slope of the property,” said JJ Teare, IDFG Habitat Manager.

“A few ‘touch-up’ construction details are still being completed, so facility users are asked to remain patient as they may encounter work crews and equipment finalizing work at the site.” He emphasized, “IDFG wanted to open the facility for public use as soon as it was practical, because August is a peak use period by boaters.”