Sentinel photo by BUFFIE BOYER
Cutting the ribbon to open the Juniata River Boat Launch Tuesday near McVeytown are, from left, Otis Riden, former Mifflin County commissioner; Steve Dunkle, Mifflin County commissioner; Mark Zong, McVeytown Borough; Steve Feathers, McVeytown Borough president; Kevin Kodish, Mifflin County commissioner; Cindy Adams Dunn, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; Bill Gomes, Mifflin County Planning and Development Department; Stan Collins, Bratton Township; Robert Campbell, National Park Service; and Lonnie Griffith, Bratton Township.

McVEYTOWN — A five-year project has finally come to a close.

The Juniata Boat Launch project in McVeytown began in 2012 when Director of Planning and Development Bill Gomes spoke of the need for a boat launch along the Juniata River, near McVeytown.

His office then began to look for grants and sites to put the boat launch and finally settled on 155 River Road, McVeytown.

The project was a combined effort between the county, McVeytown Borough, and Bratton and Union townships.

Gomes also said state and federal agencies helped with the project.

Tuesday afternoon, the boat launch was officially opened during a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Cindy Adams Dunn, with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, was the keynote speaker during the event and said to the crowd that she could personally attest to the need for the boat launch.

“I remember taking a trip down the Juniata River and we had to use the farmers field to stay overnight near McVeytown,” she said. “There was no place to easily bring our stuff up from the river.”

She also said where the boat launch was built was an ideal location. Dunn explained between the Granville boat launch and the others further up the river, there were none in the McVeytown area.

“This allows for an in-between launch site,” she said.

With the site finished, Dunn said the project overall is a huge accomplishment for the Mifflin County Planning Office.

“Bill [Gomes] is to be commended for all of the hard work behind the scenes to make this project a success,” she said.

She also said the Juniata River is one of 26 designated water trails in Pennsylvania, which brings the water trails total to 2,100 miles.

To complete this project, Mifflin County received a $125,000 DCNR grant, which comes from funds generated by the sale and transfer of properties in the state.

“That means the money doesn’t come from general funds,” Dunn said.

Robert Campbell from the National Park Service also spoke about the project from the federal grant point of view.

From the National Park Service, the project was funded through the Federal Railways and Trails program, which allows municipalities and states to build sites to attract tourists to natural areas.

“This is money well spent and you all should be proud,” he said. “You have the infrastructure in place to invite people to plan their river trips here.”

This sentiment was shared by Rhonda Moore, director of the Juniata Valley Chamber of Commerce.

“We are excited to see things like this come to completion,” she said. “It makes things better for our residents and attracts tourists to the area.”

Gomes said with the time it has taken to complete the project, he never expected to see the final product.

“I’m thankful for everyone who had a hand in this project, from planning and designing to finding funding,” he said. “Thank you to everyone.”