DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — The five boat ramps at Nelson have served boaters for decades, but the Decatur City Council has voted for a change.
The council approved a nearly $800,000 project to upgrade the boat ramps and docks at the park, replacing aging infrastructure in place since the 1960s.
Water Production General Manager Robert Weil said the upgrades will make the ramps wider and more accessible for everyone.
"We want to provide more width on the boat ramps so it's easier to get in and out," Weil said. "But one of the main reasons is that people with disabilities can't use these boat ramps, so we're making an accessible path for people who have trouble getting around."
Construction is set to begin Sept. 14. The existing docks will be replaced with new floating, ADA-compliant docks consistent with the recently upgraded marina dock system.
Weil said the upgrades will make a real impact on everyone who enjoys the lake.
"You see old boats, new boats, young people, old people, people of all kinds enjoying the shoreline and the ramps," Weil said. "It's all part of the modernization and improvement to this area."
During the closure, boaters must use alternative public launches. The Decatur Lake Patrol says boaters can use Faries Park, the Lost Bridge boat ramps, or the country club ramp.
The Lake Patrol added that it is fully prepared to help boaters adjust to the changes during construction.
"Boaters just need to get their boats out of the water and take care of everything before closing," said Lake Patrol Representative Nate Hahn. "We are very prepared for it."
The project is being completed by a local contractor and was budgeted through the Water Lake Capital budget. The ramps are expected to reopen by April 2027.
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