MSU Sailing Center Accessible Dock and Launch Project

ADA Accessible Transfer Slide Bench with Grab Rails

Where opportunity becomes equity. Recreational Sports and Fitness Services has had the “Sports for All” programming platform for over 35 years, it is our legacy handed down from Director Dr. Frank Beeman to Dr. Larry Sierra and is upheld in the leadership team and current staff. We are one of the few Universities around the country who have offered adaptive recreation for over three decades. We aim to make all our programming accessible to everyone. This project is an extension of that philosophy and will allow the MSU Sailing Center to become ADA compliant and provide a better experience for all participants.

Your Support Will Make a Big Difference

Your support can make a meaningful difference for MSU students and the Greater Lansing community. This project will give ALL students and members of the community the opportunity to participate in water sports at the MSU Sailing Center. It will allow persons in wheelchairs or with limited mobility to participate in paddle sport and sailing classes, or canoe and kayak with their friends. It will truly create an outstanding experience for all participants by allowing easier access to the water.

This project gives an opportunity previously not available to MSU students and the Lansing community. Between generous donors and our 5K race, we have raised over $40,000 over the last year. This money has been used to create a wheelchair accessible path from the parking lot and to create a seawall to attach the ADA dock to while also protecting the MSUSC shoreline from erosion.

Final Phase!- the Accessible dock and launch project is currently fundraising for the final phase of the project. The final phase is the actual dock, gangplank, transfer slide bench, and launching system. This dock will allow for people of all abilities to launch boats and participate in aquatic programs on Lake Lansing.

Project Budget

For Giving Tuesday we are hoping to raise money for the Transfer Slide Bench. This crucial device, which is on the edge of the dock, allows participants to transfer from their wheelchair to a boat and costs $7125. The bench also allows any participant to more easily get in and out of their boat after a day on the water.

Money raised will be used towards the seawall, gangplank, dock, transfer slide bench, and launching system. This dock will allow for people of all abilities to launch boats and participate in aquatic programs on Lake Lansing.

Who We Are

Recreational Sports and Fitness Services at Michigan State provides recreational programming for the 50,000 non-varsity athletes. We try to bring equity and accessibility to all MSU students.

The MSU Sailing Center is located just east of campus on Lake Lansing. We offer customized and private instructional and recreational programs for all ages in sailing, paddle sports, water safety, and experiential youth programs.

The sailing center is open to the public from May to October every year. Therefore, this project will not only benefit the MSU community, but also the entire region. It would be a loss for many if this project lacks support and not prioritizing this project hinders the ADA development at Michigan State University, as well as the greater Lansing community. We all know what a big difference recreation can make in a person's mental and physical health—you can help make this difference happen.

Current Dock

Example of an ADA compliant dock.

Make a Gift by Mail:

University Advancement
Spartan Way
535 Chestnut Road, Room 300
East Lansing, MI 48824

*Make check payable to Michigan State University and write “Appeal 23OOPCF1GTSAIL” in the note section.

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