What once was a small canoe launch and water source for local firefighters has grown into a river recreation gem in Hyde Park.

The Twin Towers Landing, referred to as the Hyde Park Boat Launch, offers a boat launch, picnic pavilion and trail area along the banks of the Kiski River.

Hyde Park Volunteer Fire Company No. 53 fire Chief John Corna spearheaded the project in 2003 and organizes annual upgrades to the launch area.

“This project started with a vision as the river became more clean and started getting more popular,” Corna said. “There’s about 12 acres developed. Originally, we wanted it for an untapped water resource and, then, we realized we can do a lot more with this.”

More than 20 volunteers from the community and fire company regularly maintain the free non-motorized launch that is open year-round to the public.

Fire Captain and borough Manager Tifanie Gagen said volunteers recently added two truckloads of large rocks and boulders along the ramp and shoreline to protect the launch area when water levels rise.

Gagen said the launch was created in conjunction with a dry hydrant used by area fire companies.

A dry hydrant is a fire hydrant not fed by a water main. It draws from a body of water via pumps on fire trucks. Water is drawn from the river and used to fill the trucks.

“It’s become a popular training site for other departments to practice drafting and pumping techniques,” Corna said. “It just took off. People started using it. Last summer, on any given weekend there were 20 to 40 people using the river.”

A covered picnic pavilion is available on a first-come, first-served basis, and tent camping is permitted.

“We don’t formally rent it out,” Gagen said. “People love it down there. It’s quiet, serene and safe. We get people visiting from Sarver, Apollo and Vandergrift.”

The launch accommodates non-motorized watercraft such as canoes, kayaks and inflatables.

“We can’t have motorboats because, sometimes, the river is so low it’s just a few feet deep,” Gagen said.

Gagen said visitors often are thrilled to spot bald eagles while enjoying the river.

“People enjoy swimming and fishing there, too,” Gagen said. “We are very proud to have this resource in our borough for those looking to enjoy the beauty of the river and area around it.”

Korna said anglers like to fish for bass, trout and catfish.

Jacob Artman of Boy Scout Troop 551 made the picnic tables for his Eagle Scout project.

The launch was damaged during a winter ice jam in 2017.

“It did a lot of damage. The ice was in 6-feet-tall chunks and etched out the river bank and washed away the pipe to the fire hydrant,” Gagen said.

A $25,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development financed repairs.

Gagen said future plans include upgrading the parking area and updating existing video surveillance at the launch.

“We’d like to add more gravel and make a more defined parking lot,” she said.

Korna said providing a free resource to the community is a goal of the fire company.

“We just ask that people keep it clean, respect it and don’t cause any problems,” Corna said.

The boat launch is located on Enterprise Drive and offers free parking.

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