Cable Park Opposition Meeting - Aug 21st - 5PM

forrest · Wed Aug 22, 12 12:06 pm

Hey Guys, I'm compiling a small report about the meeting. I have a regular day job too, so it's taking me a bit to get it put together. In the mean time, please don't hesitate to sign our petition:

http://www.change.org/petitions/port-of-hood-river-approve-the-cable-park-development-in-nichols-basin

abkite · Since 25 Jun 2011 27 Posts

forrest · Sun Aug 26, 12 5:22 pm

Hey Everyone,

I am finally able to post about how this meeting went.

First off, I'd say that it wasn't a meeting where we were allowed to respond. This was the opposition's turn to make their case. Second, I want everyone to know that they focused their arguments on the idea that the Cable Park excludes them from using the water: Exclusive use.

You can find a summary of their arguments here:
http://www.portofhoodriver.com/PDFs/082112_Naito%20Cable%20Park%20Work%20Session.pdf

Focusing on the exclusive use theme, the first point made in the meeting was that Cable parks are only used by 16-30 year old men. As I scanned the room and realized I was one of the only people that was remotely close to that demographic, I chuckled to myself. A whole room full 50+ opponents making a point like that was hilarious.

Next, they made a point that the small recreation businesses like Brian's Winsurfing, Big Wind's SUP rental, and Kayak rental are economically more important than the cable park. This is the same argument that's been going on with the Kayak rental... Are we going to let a few small business get in the way of a drastic improvement to our waterfront? I'd like to debate this one further.

The main kicker for me was when one commissioner asked "Could the Hook be used for the users of the basin?" and the response was "The Hook has rough steep banks that need improvement and it can be very windy at the Hook."

An interesting comment was made by Steve Stampfli who is the coordinator for the Hood River Watershed Group:

"The Port property (including boat basin) has been heavily impacted by development since the late 1880s, and I expect it will expereince fairly intensive commercial and recreational use in the future. We do not believe that habitat and water quality are currently in good condition, and therefore would not consider this are as a candidate for purely protective or "hands-off" management. Instead, the situation is an excellent oppoprtuinity for cooperative restoration, and the blending of active fish and water quality enhancements into future commercial and recreational development plans."

What Steve is saying is what we've all known all along... The boat basin is not good Salmon habitat. The Hood River Watershed Group would not consider the area as a candidate for protective management, however it could be enhanced. You can read Steve's entire letter here: http://portofhoodriver.com/waterfront/CP/082112%20Presenter%20Letters.pdf

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1866 Posts XTreme Poster

As a 50 year old parent, I think a cable park in the basin would be a welcome enhancement to our waterfront. More important, it's another avenue for kids to get safe access to the river, and do something outdoors, energetic, and exciting. As a parent I LOVE the idea of my kids having a season pass to the park and riding cable all summer. Ride your bike, ride the cable, ride home.

If I were a visiting kiter, windsurfer, or tourist of just about any kind, what a cool thing for the kids to do while the parents do whatever it is they want to do. As a long-time kite instructor of kids, I sure as heck would incorporate a few hours of cable riding into my lesson package, be it intro, intermediate, or advanced.

Yes, some kids want to SUP and kayak and I applaud them for it. My kids SUP from time to time. I must say though, after 15 minutes they are VERY ready to SUP out of the basin and find more exciting terrain. My 13 year old wants to learn to kayak. I'm going to teach him to roll in the pool, then do the White Salmon from Husom to the former NW Lake take out. The Basin? No thanks. This is moot regardless, as even with a cable running there is plenty of room for a group of SUPers, kayakers and swimmers, in my opinion.

If folks simply reject the idea of the cable park on purely aesthetic grounds, I can understand that, though I don't personally agree. What then is your plan for improving the basin? Another killer park like the one constructed on lot 6? That would be great! Perhaps beach access with some grass and tables? That would be cool too.

If others object to the cable park because they are frequent users of the Basin and feel that the cable would interfere with their activities of choice, I can understand and respect that as well.

As it stands now, the anti-park group is starting to feel a lot like the anti-flouride in the drinking water group we had in Hood River several years ago. A lot of fear mongering and questionable "facts." The result? Kids suffered. I think it would be a stretch indeed, to say that kids will "suffer" without a cable park. I do feel a cable is a great opportunity for kids and Hood River. I can also say that most kids will not SUP, nor kayak, as the gear size and transportation demands are just too high. Most kids want to cable, can get themselves to and from the cable, and will spend many, many hours doing it.

Most kids who windsurf or SUP, have parents with the time and/or means to get them there, gear them up, and take them home. This is one reason why you see so few kids doing it.

How I feel.

Eric Cohn
Hood River

forrest · Sun Aug 26, 12 10:24 pm

Eric, great comments. Please copy and paste your message into the feedback box under the "Public Process and Input" section on the Port of Hood River website. You have to click "Provide your input on the cable park here".

http://portofhoodriver.com/waterfront/CP.php

pjc · Since 06 Mar 2005 649 Posts Addicted

So is it cable park good, coal barge bad?

Or cable park bad, coal barge good?

Or all good? Or all bad?

Laughing

I'm sort of an "it's all good" person myself. I put my real name and real email on this (which I very rarely do). I suspect in 10 years the kids will be rail sliding off a coal barge and it will be all good.