<br />000242
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<br />Parks in pro\ress
<br />
<br />t;,:;:::~~oom is on_ With 20 artificially created whitewater parks already flowing in the U.S., there are at least
<br />
<br />\."".:>Anore in the works_ Here's a sampler of upcoming whitewater parks guaranteed to put more play in
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<br />your paddling. For more information and links to many of the projects check the Susquehanna Whitewater
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<br />Park Alliance Web site at www.swwparkalliance.com.
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<br />Casper, Wyoming-North Platte River
<br />This project was spurred by a larger waterfront rehabilitation
<br />project, partially funded by a downtown oil refinery. While the project
<br />is currently in the permitting phase, cOl15truction is expecred to be~n
<br />in the lall of 2002. The park was designed by Gary Lacy and includes
<br />five or six structures, including the modification of an existing rubble
<br />dam, all within a half-mile stretch. Flows range between 200-2,000 ds.
<br />
<br />Charlotte, North Carolina
<br />While this proposed park is still in the planning stages, if
<br />approved and when completed, it would be the nation's first
<br />completely man-made, recirculating, river-free whitewater park. Inspired
<br />by the Pernith, Australia, Olympic course, the facility will coSt as much
<br />as $10 million. The two-channel course will be 1,500 feet long, and is
<br />intended for all types of events, from World Cup races to outreach
<br />programs to commercial rafting. Completion is expected in 2003.
<br />
<br />Fayetville, North Carolina-Cross Creek
<br />Architect Gordon Johnson has proposed that the city of
<br />Fayetville convert a four-mile section of polluted Cross Creek into a
<br />recreation haven by building a waterway that indudes whitewater
<br />features. Though the course and related stream rehabilitation would
<br />,CI\tf..Jllillions, proponents are applying for grants from the state's
<br />. 'ater Management Trust Fund to pay for the venture.
<br />
<br />breen River, Wyoming-Green River
<br />Boaters no longer need dread 1-80 across Wyoming. By the
<br />summer of 2g02, a playpark should be in place just off the Interstate
<br />at Expedition Island Park, the historical launch site of Major John
<br />Wesley Powell's famous Colorado/Green expeditions. Where the river is
<br />split by the island, currently a city park, features will be bu~t that
<br />indude two large surf waves on one side and a slalom course in the
<br />other, currently dry channel. Yet another Gary Lacy project
<br />
<br />Gunnison, Colorado-Gunnison River
<br />Though this project was permitted three years ago, and has a
<br />design in place, funding has been slow to come. Once the cash is
<br />secured the playpark, located within a county park, will feature six
<br />or seven separate drops.
<br />
<br />Havre de Grace, Maryland
<br />With a master plan that proposes five different courses along
<br />the Susquehanna between Havre de Grace, Me!., and Wdliamsport, Pa.,
<br />the visionaries behind this project are cOll(entrating first on a
<br />recirculating course on the banks of Chesapeake Bay. Three or four
<br />locations are under cOl15ideration, but whichever site is chosen, the
<br />course will be approximately 500 yards long, 30 feet wide and feature
<br />an overall drop of 16 to 20 feel Designers are considering a modular
<br />fiberglass construction and plan to install lights, as many as two
<br />footbridges, grand stands and locker room facilities. In order to cover
<br />costs, planners are considering selling the naming rights to the facility.
<br />
<br />wille, California-Kern River
<br />Two facilities are in the works for this small Siem town. The
<br />. first is the modification of an existing slalom cours~he site of
<br />the 200 I Slalom Nationals-20 minutes upstream from town. Those
<br />modifications should be in place for this year's runoff. The second
<br />project, to be ready in 2003, is the improvement of the old slalom
<br />
<br />
<br />A look of things to come:Vail 8 Ball.
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<br />course right in town, which was informally constructed 25 years ago.
<br />The improvements will modify existing play features and add several
<br />more to the 400-yard-long channel.
<br />
<br />Lyons, Colorado-North St. Vrain River.
<br />This small town at the gateway to Rocky Mountain National
<br />Park already boasts good boating, but this proposed 1,400-foot-long
<br />course in a city park through the center 01 town would draw even
<br />more adventurers. With a permit in hand and designs in place, only
<br />funding could delay the scheduled fall 2002 construction. While the
<br />park would run dry for kayakers in July, fishermen and tubers
<br />could enjoy the seven or eight proposed drops in late summer.
<br />
<br />McHenry, Maryland
<br />The proposed 1,400-foot-long recirculating (ourse will be only
<br />the firlt feature in a larger, 650-acre adventure-sports facility being
<br />~anned by a non-profit group. The Adventure Sports Center will also
<br />have rock dimbing and mountain biking facilities, but will begin with
<br />the John Anderson-designed whitewater course. The plans call for a
<br />15-100t drop along the (ouru's length as well as inflatable bladders
<br />to compliment the permanent river-rock installations. The group is
<br />also planning a whitewater hall of fame at the site.
<br />
<br />MissoulalMiIltown, Montana-
<br />Clark's Fork River
<br />To be located at the confluence of the Blackfoot and Oark's
<br />fork riverl, when completed this park will be the nation's largest
<br />natural-river play park. The project is linked to a superfund site
<br />deanup, so construction may be a ways off, but thanks to designer
<br />Gary Lacy, it has a conceptual plan. The (ourse will be built in an
<br />already existing riverside park with three features on the Blackfoot
<br />and seven on the Oark's Fork, and will indude surf waves, playholes
<br />and a slalom course.
<br />
<br />Pueblo, Colorado-Arkansas River
<br />This facility is part of an Army Corps of En~neers habitat
<br />improvement project that begins with the modification of a low-head
<br />dam in downtown Pueblo, An additional seven or eight features will
<br />be added downstream to form a slalom course and play features. To
<br />be completed in 2003.
<br />
<br />Reno, Nevada- Truckee River
<br />With a $1 million budget, this project aims to rehabilitate the
<br />walled-in Trockee River as it passes through downtown Reno. In
<br />addition to naturalizing the channel and adding a greenway, plans
<br />are in the works to add a slalom course and surf waves on either
<br />side of an island. Designer Gary Lacy says that col15truction is set to
<br />begin on July I.
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