COEUR d'ALENE - The Third Street Boat Launch will be closed for the season.

Beginning June 1, boaters will have to go elsewhere if they want to drop their vessels into Lake Coeur d'Alene, as construction on the McEuen Park redevelopment project will rope off the downtown launch this summer.

The approximately $20 million park project will keep the boat launch where it is between Tubbs Hill and the Coeur d'Alene Resort, but crews will need the space to work because components like the seawall and waterfront promenade abut the launch, Dennis Grant, city project manager said this week.

"The contractor needs the area to work in and build the structure and put the new entryway for the area," he said.

It will be reopened Oct. 1.

It was discussed during the park planning that the launch would be shut down at least for portions of the project leading up to the groundbreaking, but the decision wasn't made until after the contractor, Contractors Northwest Inc., won the bid and studied the scope of work.

City Administrator Wendy Gabriel said the city will distribute maps at boat inspection stations and other drop points around the area detailing where boaters can go during the summer to launch their boats.

According to a Kootenai County Parks and Waterways list, 14 launch points sit on Lake Coeur d'Alene or the Spokane River in the county. Higgens Point, Blackwell Island Recreation Area on the Spokane River and Mineral Ridge are some of the drop points nearest the downtown, though each is miles away.

Front Avenue, which will house a parking structure beneath it after the project is complete, was the first component to close. It's scheduled to be opened Nov. 19.

Meanwhile, the city has graded a handful of lots near the education corridor for parking options during the summer when the park is closed Memorial Field, Museum of North Idaho will offer free parking, as will the parking lot south of City Hall. Gabriel said they are exploring providing a free shuttle from the education corridor area lots to the downtown for those who park there cars there.