Dunkirk Mayor Wilfred Rosas and Holiday Harbor operator Charles Pringle have announced completed joint efforts between the city and the marina to upgrade the city boat launch as part of the City's pier improvement plan.

Dunkirk Mayor Wilfred Rosas and Holiday Harbor operator Charles Pringle have announced completed joint efforts between the city and the marina to upgrade the city boat launch as part of the City’s pier improvement plan.

On Thursday and Friday, the decades-old docks at the launch that had been winter-damaged and high-water flooded were replaced with two new commercial-grade docks. Just before that, the sidewalks around the boat launch office and fish-cleaning station were upgraded to be compliant for accessibility.

New granite curbs were also placed. The next step for the small park north of the offices is to re-seed all lawn areas that were bruised by construction equipment, install new LED light fixtures, erect the new nautical flagpole at the point of the mini park, and place the memorial stone nearby to tribute the late chairman of the Harbor Commission, Mr. James Nichols, whose vision created the mini park.

Rosas and Pringle thank the boaters for being patient while the launch area was fixed up, especially during the difficult extra work needed to adjust for the record high water level of Lake Erie. Upgrades to the fish grinder were also installed by city crews. Rosas said all the upgrades will be most welcoming to the popular fishing tournaments out of Dunkirk Harbor, especially the ongoing South Towns Tournament this weekend.

Rosas also sent gratitude to the 20 U.S. Navy recruits for manually picking up the winter trash that accumulated along the shoreline between the boat launch and the Main Street beach. New York State Parks also assisted with that cleanup, and city workers will work with shared services to complete the beach grooming and maintenance.