Jensen Beach parking - please stay on gravel

[CGW2]

Hi Windsurfers-

Recently the windsurfing parking area at Jensen Beach has sprawled off of the gravel and into the paved areas. At risk of losing the privilege of river access at this new site, please be sure to stay on the gravel on the west end of the parking area at Jensen Beach.

History of Jensen Beach
In 2007, the Columbia Gorge Windsurfing Association and the Port of Hood River partnered to create this new river access. It was just after the delta flooded, and the new launch site was intended to ease the anticipated congestion at the Event Site.

With help and support from the Port of Hood River, Phil Jensen, and the tenants of the Jensen building, the new launch was created. CGWA Board members and volunteers built the ramp to the water and developed a parking area.

Temporary Privilege
Each year since 2007, CGWA and the Port have renewed the agreement to use Jensen Beach. While it was originally intended as a temporary launch, we have been so very fortunate to have the access privilege renewed yearly.

In order to keep this privilege, it’s important to leave the paved parking area available for the tenants of the Jensen building, and otherwise be good stewards of this site.

Please Park on the Gravel
If you value the privilege of parking at and sailing from Jensen Beach, please park and rig on the gravel and leave the paved parking area available for the Jensen building tenants.

Feel free to contact us with any questions.

Thank you! See you on the water!

Katie Crafts
Executive Director
CGWA

[jota]

Question Katie: I know Northwave lets Northwave sailors (only) rig on their little lawn area. Can we Northwave sailors also park on the paved area next to it? I have never been sure about that . . .

[CGW2]

Northwave is a tenant in the building, and they have parking priviledges for their customers the same way the other tenants do for their customers or drivers. If your purpose of being there is as a customer of the tenants, then yes, please park on the intended paved area.

Access to this beach is renewed annually, and if it's not working out for any of the involved parties then the privilege will be revoked. So in general, if it looks like the "windsurfing" parking is taking over, please be proactive and respectful of the other tenants and consider parking elsewhere.

Also, as this is Port property, there is no overnight parking. Please respect this policy and encourage others to do the same.

Thanks to all for your support in keeping this beach open! It's great to see so many launch sites along the Hood River waterfront!

[hilton08]

I believe the issue is with big trucks who need space to load/unload and turn around on the pavement. If a windsurfer's vehicle is parked in their way, it doesn't really matter what brand of sails they have.

[jessicaberty]

In addition to Northwave, Turtle Island Foods is also a tenant in the old Luhr Jensen building. I sail, utilize the launch and I also work for Turtle Island Foods. Turtle Island needs the paved area clear so that trucks with 53' trailers can deliver product to their west loading dock. These trucks need lots of room to get in and out of that area, and if they can't deliver, it could be an issue, as it was this past weekend.

Please keep the paved area clear for trucks, as they may be delivering any dav of the week including weekends.

Thanks,

Paul Berty
Turtle Island Foods

[isobars]

That's an unintended hint to any sailors using that launch: if we see one of us parked there, do whatever it takes to get him out of there immediately so the privilege won't be revoked.

Mike \m/