Canton native Mark J. McKenna, a civil engineer at Fort Drum, helped organize a hockey event for injured soldiers. Using specially designed sleds and hockey sticks with spikes, those who lost limbs or had other physical disabilities were able to compete on the ice.

This led to the annual Mountain Warrior Hockey Tournament at the Roos House Athletic Center on the SUNY Canton campus. McKenna, who has played and coached hockey, was honored in 2020 for his role in popularizing the sport in upstate New York.

McKenna now helps athletes with disabilities enjoy kayaking. He hosted a fundraising event to create a launch to accommodate suitable kayaks.

“Alan Fifield and Tom Lazore were tentatively paddling their kayaks around the Taylor Park swimming area in Canton on [Sept. 11]. Most people get a little anxious when they first step into the notoriously low boats. But as men accustomed to traveling the world in wheelchairs, the situation was more precarious, ”according to an article published on September 14 by the Watertown Daily Times. “It didn’t take long for the two men to feel comfortable and it didn’t take long for them to come down the river, paddling like it was something they were all doing. days. Mr. Lazore and Mr. Fifield were helped by using kayaks which had been adapted to be more stable with stabilizers extending on either side of the stern of the boats.

“The person behind adaptive kayaks is Mark J. McKenna, founder of the [Mountain Warrior] Sledge hockey team, ”the article reports. “Two of the boats that Mr. McKenna brought to Canton Beach on [Sept. 11] were equipped with commercially produced stabilizers and one with its own design, made with PVC pipes. Mr. McKenna hosted the demonstration… to draw attention to a fundraising effort he is supporting to build an accessible kayak and canoe boat launch that could be ready for Remington canoe races next year in the spring.

McKenna’s idea has the support of Canton Recreation Director Meghan E. Richardson and Canton Village Board members.

“The launch includes a dock with a set of rollers next to it to facilitate kayaks and canoes in and out of the river,” according to the story. “Just before the end of the platform, there will be a wheelchair transfer device. A person in a wheelchair can get in and out of the water and get on and off their boat with little or no assistance. The launch can be used by anyone and will be especially useful for children, the elderly, and those with limited flexibility. “

It is a wonderful idea, which will improve the recreational possibilities for the residents. People can send donations for the kayak launch to the village office at 60 Main St., Canton, NY 13617. They can call the recreation department at 315-386-3992 for more information.

We commend McKenna for her creativity and determination to ensure that more people can participate in the sporting activities they love. We encourage residents to support his efforts to bring this kayak and canoe ramp to Taylor Park in Canton.