McFarland West Public Boat Ramp Reopens with New Launching Slab

The Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) has reopened the larger of the two ramps at the McFarland Public Boat Ramp facility (McFarland West) on Pickwick Reservoir in Florence. McFarland West was closed in November 2024 to replace the facility's damaged three-lane launching slab.

The access pier at McFarland North will also be replaced, which may cause a temporary closure of the facility's two-lane boat ramp. McFarland West will remain open during renovations to McFarland North.

"McFarland Park is a great asset to northwest Alabama," said Chris Blankenship, ADCNR Commissioner. "The City of Florence has great plans for other work at McFarland Park. The renovation of the launching ramp and the new access pier will be a great addition to this park for continued fishing, hunting and boating access. We appreciate our partnership with the City of Florence and Innovate Alabama on this important project."

This boating access improvement project was completed through a partnership between ADCNR and the City of Florence. Funding for this project was provided through the Sport Fish Restoration Program, which is supported through excise taxes on the sale of outboard motor fuel, fishing equipment and the sale of Alabama fishing licenses. Additional funding was provided by the City of Florence and Innovate Alabama, a statewide public-private partnership focused on entrepreneurship, technology and innovation with a mission to help businesses grow roots in Alabama.

ADCNR and the City of Florence will host a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, March 14, 2025, to celebrate the completion of the renovation project. The ribbon cutting is tentatively scheduled for 2 p.m. Additional information about the event will be posted to www.outdooralabama.com when available.

For more information about this and other public boating access areas provided by ADCNR, visit http://boatramps.dcnr.alabama.gov or call the WFF Fisheries Section at (334) 242-3471.

ADCNR promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama's natural resources through four divisions: Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. Learn more at www.outdooralabama.com.

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