Kayak launch opens in Metairie as part of $15M lakefront project

The big picture: The paddle canal opened Thursday and is part of a $15+ million overhaul of the lakefront from Bucktown Harbor to the Bonnabel Boat Launch.

• It's a protected area with bridges and ADA-accessible kayak and canoe launches.

By Jan. 1, kayak rentals will be available through Bayou Adventure, owner Brittany Perrin said.

• There will be a 24/7 kiosk near the launch to rent kayaks, life jackets and paddles. Prices start at $20 an hour, she said.
• The company currently offers rentals at Fountainebleau State Park.

The fine print: The paddle canal is only open to non-motorized vessels like kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddle boards. Fishing is not allowed.

Zoom out: The paddle canal is part of bigger, multiyear project with the focus on creating a "living shoreline."

• Officials have been plugging away at building the shoreline this year. It uses rocks and plants to protect the levee from erosion by absorbing wave energy.
• It's the first time this type of project has been used to protect a federal levee, NOAA says, and is seen as an experiment for other levees in metro New Orleans.
• The rock jetties from the living shoreline are a key part in creating the protected paddle canal.

The Bucktown Boardwalk and the Bird's Nest Learning Pavilion are also part of the project and are already open.

By the numbers: The funding comes from federal, state and local sources, including the National Park Service, NOAA, Louisiana State Parks and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

What's next: The next part of the project is a playground, which is expected to open by the end of 2025, said Michelle Gonzales, director of the parish's ecosystem and coastal management department.

• The parish also plans to break ground next year on a two-story pavilion near the harbor.