Bill Bogdan is an adventurous guy. He loves biking, climbing — you name it. But when the Mokena resident gets out on the water, it is always a uniquely rewarding experience.

“I’ve always loved being on the water,” Bogdan said. “When I’m on the water, scuba diving or kayaking, the thing I love the most is I get to leave my wheelchair behind and be on the water, like anybody else.”

Bogdan was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a form of cancer, at 8 months old. His tumor was removed, but it left him with incomplete paraplegia. He regularly uses a manual wheelchair, and his adventures often necessitate the support of adaptive groups, his family or a combination of the two.

But Bogdan, 54, recently got to leave that wheelchair on the dock once again to try something new: an accessible kayak and canoe launch unveiled late this summer by the Forest Preserve District of Will County at Lake Chaminwood. The launch includes a wheelchair-accessible ramp with an adjacent gangway for the vessel that leads to a floating dock, where a three-level seat, overhead bars and side rails provide tools for people to get on the water.

“I was totally blown away by how accessible it is,” Bogdan said. “It just opens up a wealth of promise and a wealth of activity that I can share with my friends and family. … It’s state-of-the-art. It’s innovative. It allows people to fully, accessibly, use the kayak launch.”

Bogdan recently enjoyed spending a couple of hours on the water with his wife. But the launch is something he can use independently, if desired. The instructions posted on the side of the launch and the QR code that brings up a video demonstration are both helpful, he added.

“It is so awesome,” Bogdan said. “I was just floored when I tried it. … Now I can kayak and canoe just like anyone else can.”

Bogdan, who works as a disability liaison for the Secretary of State’s office, has always had a penchant for adventure, participating in adaptive sports such as mountain biking, climbing, scuba diving and swimming. In 2021, he also got to try ziplining for the first time after The Forge: Lemont Quarries installed an accessible lift.

“I’ve always loved the outdoors,” Bogdan said. “I love the freedom that you get from being connected with the outdoors. I love all sorts of adaptive sports.”

Bogdan said these kinds of opportunities didn’t exist when he was a child and young adult, but he has seen a boom in accessibility and adaptive programs in the 33 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law. Lincolnway Special Recreation Association and the Mokena-based Swift Outdoor Accessible Recreation are among those providing great resources in the Southland, he said.

“Life doesn’t stop for a disability,” Bogdan said. “I’ve always been active with trying to work to make things accessible for people with disabilities, because I’m always looking for things to do.”

Bogdan’s journey with Forest Preserve District of Will County dates back nearly a decade. He took his children out on a canoe during an event and wound up in a photo the district put on its canoe trailer. It got Bogdan talking with the district. He asked them to make more of the preserves fully accessible, including launches.

“It was something they said they’ll definitely work on and make accessibility improvements when they can,” Bogdan recalled.

They reconnected about the topic over the years, talking about new opportunities and locations that could benefit from such improvements. District representatives explained their improvement plans, including those at Lake Chaminwood.

With the help of a $750,000 gift to The Nature Foundation of Will County, the district made a number of improvements to the preserve, including a larger parking lot, and a new entrance and welcome area. It also has plans to connect the preserve trail to the I&M Canal Trail and install accessible fishing piers.

The launch itself was funded partially by an $80,000 Illinois Department of Natural Resources Boat Access Grant. And while Bogdan is undoubtedly excited about it for personal reasons, he is also excited about how it opens the door for so many other people.

Daily Southtown

Twice-weekly

News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday

The launch, installed by a company called BoardSafe, is designed with the aim that anyone can use it. Bogdan compares these types of improvements to curb cuts, which were originally installed for people with disabilities but came to benefit everyone.

“When they make things universally accessible, it’s used by all,” Bogdan said.

He hopes the launch will open up Will County to a wide range of accessible programming and bring in more adaptive sports organizations for activities such as paddling days. He envisions a day when he can come to the preserves with his family, spend some time on the water fishing, do a little climbing on a wall and then hit the bike trails — grilling or having a picnic to break things up. And he’d love to see more fully accessible launches in Will County, along with other organizations in Illinois taking note and making accessibility improvements of their own.

“Unfortunately, things in the disability arena don’t happen overnight,” Bogdan said. “These docks aren’t cheap. But you understand that every progress made spurs future projects. … The possibilities are endless.”

Lake Chaminwood is off Shepley Road, west of Interstate 55, near Channahon. The district notes the launch and floating dock will remain in the water year-round, as kayaking on preserve lakes is only prohibited when there is ice on the water.

More information is at ReconnectWithNature.org.

Bill Jones is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.