Tubing down the Chippewa River in Eau Claire has exploded in popularity in the past few years. Tubers, who typically launch from Phoenix Park, enjoy lazy summertime floating in large numbers. One drawback has been clear, however: There aren’t many good places to get out of the water downriver. To address this shortcoming, the Water Street Business Improvement District has been working for several years to create a safe, convenient access point to the river. Earlier this month, the long-awaited $30,000 project was completed. The effort was funded by the businesses in the neighborhood, not taxpayers. The new amenities include a tube landing on the riverside and a trail up the riverbank near the intersection of Menomonie Street and Fifth Avenue. Restaurateur Lisa Aspenson, a member of the BID board, told WQOW-TV that the new landing will improve safety and access. “A lot of people who are using the inner tubes come in from the river and are living in the neighborhood,” she told the TV station.