Community Corner

Bender Park Boat Launch Shut Down

County hopes to re-open launch by May.

The boat launch at , widely used by boaters from throughout the region, will be closed at least through April to allow for dredging.

Alderman Mike Toman requested the county close the launch earlier this month after he watched one boat barely make it through the channel and another get stranded on a sandbar due to low water levels.

The Oak Creek Fire Department came to the aid of the boater. Toman said the department would get calls constantly if the launch stayed open.

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"I see a definite danger," he said. "The fire department (would) end up down there every day pulling guys off the sandbar." 

The county closed the launch earlier this month to start dredging - removing sediment and unclogging the waterway. 

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Toman said the launch is open year-round and is a popular place to access Lake Michigan, and he asked for people to spread the word.

"People who use that launch come from 30, 40, 50 miles away," Toman said. "With brown trout fishing in spring, they're going to be very disappointed."

Boaters should check the county's Bender Park page for updates. 

Bender Park itself is still open. 


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