One of the great frustrations of life in Suffolk is the enticing nature of the city’s waterways, which at the same time have so few options for public access.

Access points to the Nansemond River, at least, will triple this year, as city officials prepare to open two new kayak and canoe launches to complement the existing boat launch at Bennett’s Creek Park. That’s great news for folks who love good exercise, folks who love nature and folks who just want to get a look at the rivers — up close and personal.

Contractors have completed construction on a $467,000 project at Sleepy Hole Park that includes a launch, a floating dock and a 361-foot pier along one of the most picturesque parts of the river. Officials expect to open the facility to the public in February, and volunteers are working to plant trees and native shrubs and build a walking path within the 100-foot shoreline buffer to stave off additional erosion where the pier was built.

Meanwhile, a similar kayak launch is being built at the Constant’s Wharf Marina, located behind the Hilton Garden Inn Suffolk Riverfront, and is expected to be complete in the spring. A much smaller scope of work means that project is planned to come in at a price tag of $165,000.

The two projects have been in the offing for Suffolk for several years, as volunteers from Suffolk River Heritage and the Nansemond River Preservation Alliance have worked with the city to secure federal funding.

The projects are great examples of a true public-private partnership, and it’s a partnership that will truly improve the lives of people in Suffolk.