MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - For some, it's a recreational sport. But for residents like Jeff Potter, canoeing the 23 miles of the Red Cedar Water Trail is a life style activity.

But often times, residents say the biggest hurdle is finding the right location to get in the water.

"So many people live near the river, but there is not a lot of opportunity for access," said Meridian Township Parks and Land Management Coordinator Jane Greenway.

So while the Van Atta bridge was under construction, the Township decided it was a good time to build a new canoe launch at the Meridian River Front Park giving residents a new water entrance to cruise around town.

The fully funded grant based launch, features six wooden post that will expand on those who can access the water.

"We wanted to make sure is that we can add on to it in the future to handicap friendly boat launches," said Greenway.

And while building the launch, finding the right location was key.

"People are going to notice that there’s a water facility here now and they're going to think about the river more as they drive by. If you drive by, you'll see this here,” said Williamston resident Jeff Potter.

To able to properly navigate the trail, a map was also created to guide boaters from Williamston to Lansing via water.

"A trail map provides information on things like where you can launch, how long it takes you to get from point a to point b, what amenities are on the way," said Greenway.

And while on the blue, the Township asks residents to follow basic safe paddling practices such as learning the correct way to paddle, wearing bright colors, and always having life jackets on board.

The new canoe launch is among a seven others that will be built in the near future.

"I assume it will go from say a dozen of people using the river in the summertime to hundreds," Potter said.