New downtown kayak rack made from old bridge

Kayakers and canoe enthusiasts have always been able to get to downtown Bigfork from the Swan River and Flathead Lake, but now they have somewhere to put their vessel while exploring the town. But, there’s something unique about this three-tiered boat rack, it’s made from parts of the historic Kearney Rapids Bridge.

The bridge was built in the early 1900s to cross the Swan River just west of Ferndale, near Montana 209. In 1997 the bridge was purchased by local craftsman and metalworker Jeffrey Funk and replaced with the current larger concrete bridge.

The reason Funk purchased the bridge was because the main material, wrought iron, is very difficult to find and even more expensive to get. He uses this material for various forging projects, most recently the new canoe/kayak rack.

“It would be accurate to say it was contemporary to the bridge in Bigfork,” Funk said. “This was an opportunity to remember a historic, and for a lot of people, sentimental bridge.”

The rack is capable of holding up to six vessels at one time, and it’s very sturdy thanks to the deep cement platform and laced columns with riveted triangles.

According to Bigfork Park Advisory Committee member Edd Blackler, the idea for the rack originated from fellow committee member Sharon Hopkins who saw the old dock was falling apart.

The Community Foundation for a Better Bigfork committed $500 toward the rack’s construction and the county provided the final $300. Funk built the rack last May and said it only took him a couple of days to do.

“The historical tie-in was a big selling point for us and that is a big reason CFBB agreed to provide their money,” Blackler said.

Blackler also said the installation of the rack was delayed due to a nearby business owner telling county commissioners they would be digging into raw sewage by placing the rack there and that it would hurt his business.

Had this not occurred, the rack would have been installed at the start of the summer season.

“It’s a nice amenity for the community to be paddle friendly,” Blackler said.

A sign or plaque may be placed on the rack in the future to commemorate the old bridge from which it was built.

That bridge was loved,” Funk said. “You won’t find anyone our age who didn’t used to dive off. This was just a little memorial.”