Thoughts on Northwave/new park launch

[isobars]

[tetiaroaxx]

[gorgeview]

Sorry I am not familar with the Arlington issues.
We had to get all the appropriate Army Corp of Engineering and City permits for all work, which was very expensive, (roughly $700,000) to permit, and create the beach and access ramp. We also created a flood plain zone, added salmon habitat and riparian areas, all native plants and the process took several months.
Columbia Gorge Windsurfing Assc. was definately responsible for a very generous donation of $70,000 toward the access steps at the park which were created to allow windsurfing access into the Columbia. This was a portion of the CGWA settlement funds from BNSF stipulated to be used for new or improved access sites on the Columbia.
CGWA efforts have also improved and added several new access points at the Hook and Lurh Jensen Beach.

[1aloop]

<<(roughly $700,000) to permit>>

%^#%$^ THIEVES

[Mulekick84]

The new launch is GREAT! We sailed there several times.

Its odd though, as usual, some clowns always want to park right on the carpet with a front row seat in their big RV's. I found it very selfish to block sailors access to the stairs and blocking the rigging carpet from use. Then they would typically have 2-3 rigs laying on the carpet after their sailing session of 20 minutes. What's up with that?

I hope the hogs will read this and realize how discourteous this is to fellow sailors. Clearly, this is out of the control of the City and the CGWA and its a shame that vacationers are so self centered as to be oblivious to their impact on fellow sailors. I didn't let it lease space in my head, but I noted several frustrated sailors trying to maneuver around the widespread gear, dogs, babies, and overall blocking of the gateway to the grass and stairs.

Big Kudo's to Katie Crafts and the CGWA for their participation and contribution to the new site.

I HOPE WE ARE ALL SUPPORTING THE CGWA AND THEIR TIRELESS EFFORTS TO MAKE WINDSURFING MORE ACCESSIBLE AND ENJOYABLE FOR US ALL!!!

[johnl]

[gorgeview]

re Carpet;
I strongly disagee, the carpet marks an open corridor to carry gear back and forth to the lawn. That opening was specifically Designed and CREATED this spring, from your comments and with permission from the Port, to keep a path for rigs and so windsurfers would not block and knock pedestrians on the concrete walkway like we did last summer. The pathway is just so heavily used and it doesn't provide enough room to have allow folks carrying gear up to 10 ft across walking all the way down to the steps to launch. Please try to keep all pathways and drive throughs clear. Landscaping will be added to direct traffic but in the meantime we should get used to and encourage the traffic patterns.
Why is it the campers love to block the drive throughs and entrances?
The driveway and carpet areas should be keep open for EVERYONE's benefit as well as for any possible emergencies.

[jota]

Also lots of folks use the carpet to rig and then launch at the Northwave ramp. It's practically next to the carpet and for those of us getting a quick sesh in there's no reason to carry rigs all the way over to the waterfront park launch.

So keep the carpet - expand it even!

Of course, Northwave sailors can rig on the Northwave lawn that is even closer to the ramp . . . but then they put a bench right in the way, that we now have to navigate around which isn't so easy on a windy day, with pedestrians on the path.

(And what's with that berm of bark chips? I don't get the point - it's just another obstacle for folks to climb over. It doesn't seem like a landscaping feature, just a long pile.)

I have to say though - the Waterfront Park rocks! Not as a sailing spot but as a multi-use, family friendly park. The city and Port said we couldn't do it - and we did! I love to see all the folks out there from dawn 'til dark, locals and visitors alike. Congratulations to Ann and everyone who worked so hard on that project.

I encourage everyone who has enjoyed the park to help support the cause - there is info at the park, or go to http://www.hoodriverwaterfront.com/.

[ascott72]

Another nice weekend at the park. Too bad it didn't stay windy on sunday.

Parking got a little crazy, lots of people, some probably parking where they shouldn't. But that is beyond my purview.

But I will say the park is crying out for some shade! Could be some big trees, could be a simple gazebo of some kind. But there is zero relief from the sun other than trying to stay in the shade of parked vehicles.

Water fountain by the bathrooms would be nice too.

Anyway, the park is great. I am not trying to criticize, just make some suggestions to make it even better. And I am going to put my money where my mouth is and make a donation.

[pabloson]

It is REALLY smelly, but my understanding is that the city is going to put a cap on the sewage tx plant to remedy the problem.

Lovely park. Suggestion - remove old fence between parking and grass for quick and easy access to rigging.